Johannesburg

SPUR IS SIZZLING HOT – ON THE DIGITAL INNOVATION FRONT Spur Steak Ranches has introduced a cool new range of digital innovations and applications, designed to appeal to kids, teens and adults. Having recently been awarded  the “Coolest Eat-Out Place” in the Sunday Times Generation Next 2014 Survey, Spur is innovating in order to appeal to the younger market via original digital applications . With 3 FREE new exciting Spur apps, a new responsive and interactive website and the Spur Secret Tribe online magazine, SA’s favourite family restaurant remains tops when it comes to fun and relevant entertainment for its younger diners. The mobile game apps are fun and safe for children of all ages and can be downloaded across all platforms (Apple and Android tablets and smartphones) or they can be  played online at www.spurtribe.co.za Get creative with Colour Me 3D Augmented Reality  is p...

Jesse Clegg is a South African alternative rock artist whose 2008 debut album, When I Wake Up , and his 2011 follow up, Life On Mars, have made the 25-year-old a platinum-selling success in his home country. This is a considerable feat in a place where rock is a niche genre. In 2014, Jesse brought his music to the international stage. He embarked on a seven week tour across the United States and Canada, which comprised of 32 shows in 31 cities. He has also played numerous high profile showcase festivals in the U.S. - including the CMJ Music Marathon, New Music Seminar and the CBGB Festival. In June, Jesse also performed on the main stage at UK’s Isle of Wight Festival. Descending from a musical family, Jesse spent the first six years of his life on tour with his father, iconic South African singer Johnny Clegg. Jesse has achieved much in the 5 short years he has been active. He has released 4 Top 10 singles and toured extensively throughout South Africa, playing the biggest ...

The Original Dîner en Blanc returns to South Africa in Spring 2014 If you missed it last year, you missed one of the most spectacular Spring evenings Jozi has ever seen. It was creative and cathartic, delicious and decadent, magical and mysterious. It attracted pleasure seekers, fine diners, lovers of life, mavericks, madcaps and merry makers. It was the inaugural Dîner en Blanc event, a wondrous night out under the stars, embellished with gastronomic delights, quirky rituals and joie de vivre. This French phenomenon is returning on Saturday 20 th September 2014 and it’s going to be even more remarkable than the first time round. Dîner en Blanc is a tradition, built on the untraditional. Launched over 25 years ago in the city of love, this annual occasion now plays out in over 40 countries around the world. It’s a free-spirited affair, built on an ethos that promotes heartfelt connections, new experiences and communal enjoyment. But there are certain practices that de...

NEDERBURG BRIEFLY OPENS WINE LIBRARY TO SERVE VINTAGE AUCTION WINES AND GOURMET MEAL Nederburg is sharing its passion for special tastes and has decided as a rare treat to unlock the inner-most section of its wine cellar for just a short window, so winelovers get to experience some of its choicest Private Bin vintage connoisseur wines. These are limited editions made for exclusive sale at the Nederburg Auction. The extraordinary offer comes ahead of the 40th anniversary of what has become one of the world's foremost wine auctions. It takes place on September 12 and 13. Members of the public will be able to sample just four of the prized wines as part of a special gourmet menu offered at The Red Table at Nederburg. The restaurant is the project of well-known Cape Town foodie Andrea Foulkes of Dish Food & Social. "So often we are approached by winelovers, keen to taste our specialty auction wines and because stocks are so limited, we haven't been a...

Southern Sun Maputo reopens after US$30 million makeover Tsogo Sun’s Southern Sun Maputo, now the largest hotel in the Mozambican capital, has re-opened after a four-month hiatus during which the hotel went through a US$30 million expansion and makeover that has added significant appeal, interest and comfort for business and leisure guests. This major investment by Tsogo Sun is in line with Mozambique’s robust real GDP growth of 7% in 2013, despite the floods in the country last year. The progressive increase in coal production and the implementation of large infrastructure projects, coupled with budgetary expansion, are expected to continue to drive growth in Mozambique, projected at 8.5% in 2014 and 8.2% in 2015, according to the African Economic Outlook website. “It makes sense to embrace the opportunities and invest in Mozambique, with its growing economy and its attractiveness to South Africans as well as international travellers,” says Richard Weilers, COO of Tso...

Chef Thuli wowed celebrities and journalists alike yesterday at Tsogo Sun's chocolate extravaganza Woman's Month event at the Punchinello’s deck at Southern Sun Montecasino. Guests were treated to chocolate martinis and chocolate milkshakes on arrival and walked onto the deck to a decadent chocolate display.  Even the hot food was chocolate themed. The event was an opportunity for guests to meet some of Tsogo Sun’s phenomenal female GMs and Chefs. Further info on Chef Thuli below. Thuli Mabunda – Sous Chef Pastry – Southern Sun Montecasino Who would have thought that a waitressing job could lead to a wonderful career? Well, in the early years working as a waitress at Gallagher Estate, Thuli Mabunda became fascinated with the various chefs -   watching them as they wield their magic.  When she was approached to be part of a Tsogo Sun learnership programme in the pastry kitchen at the Southern Sun & Towers hotel, she grabbed the op...

Menlyn Boutique Hotel Situated in the heart of the Tshwana Metropole, The Menlyn Boutique Hotel provides a 5-star hotel offering the industry’s best in luxury accommodation, fine dining and premium conferencing.  Formerly known as the Menlyn Guest Lodge, which was awarded the esteemed status of Best Guest Lodge in the 2012 Tshwane Tourism Awards, renovations and re-branding exercises began on what is now known as the Menlyn Boutique Hotel in June of 2012. The intention was to transform the property into a world-class luxury destination. This premium hotel caters to business and ambassadorial travellers in Pretoria, as well as to local guests in their five star signature restaurant, The Black Bamboo.  Understanding 5-star hotel grading Conjure up an image of a five star establishment and it’s likely that you’ll be imagining the very last word in luxury, from the softest snow white bath sheets, to the crisp Egyptian cotton linen on the king size...