Italian-style pizza, delectable Greek treats, traditional German cuisine and Chinese stirfries are just a few of the international varieties of food available at the stalls on the Village Green this year.
Italian-style pizza, delectable Greek treats, traditional German cuisine and Chinese stirfries are just a few of the international varieties of food available at the stalls on the Village Green this year.
La Pizzeria, run by Daniel Griffin and his fiancée Lisa Tarr, offers Italian inspired wood-fired pizza, freshly from scratch, on-site. Tarr says their pizzas are a great option, especially for families and couples seeking a tasty indulgence. La Pizzeria offers a variety of toppings, including delicious vegetarian options. They also offer half pizzas, starting at R25, for individuals seeking a nibble and students on a budget.
Traditional Greek treats can be found at The Sweet Greek, run by Amanda Koushis and her Greek husband. Greek shortbread, baklava fingers and Greek cream custard pies are just a few of the sugary delights visitors can indulge in. And if you don't have such a sweet tooth, savoury Greek options include spanakopita – traditional Greek spinach and feta pastries.
For health and happiness, visitors at the Village Green can satisfy a rumbling stomach with nourishing and wholesome fruit salads, detox juices, smoothies and stir fries at the Oh So Peachy stall run by Rosaline van der Merwe since 2004. In addition, mouth-watering R5 samoosas “just balance out all the healthiness”, states van der Merwe.
Continuing the healthy and hearty trend, the Atma vegetarian cuisine stall aims to spread a philosophy of food consciousness and offers 100% pure juices and a wide variety of all-vegetarian foods. Roti rolls, wraps and curries are just a few options vegetarians can enjoy, while Rory Strydom, a member of the Atma team, reveals that their “legendary” chickpea fudge is a popular treat that everyone needs to try.
A favourite at the Village Green has to be the Dragon Pearl stall, where there are always festival-goers queueing to get their hands on vegetable, pork and chicken stir fries, starting at R20, delicious spring rolls and a great selection of other Chinese foods.
The Grahamstown Rotary Club introduces local flavour to the Village Green, selling Quintus Hahndiek's famous and very popular kudu burgers for R25 and tasty bacon and egg breakfast buns to raise funds for the club.
Biltong lovers will be thrilled to hear that the Biltong King, Sandor van der Merwe, offers an extensive range of biltong and dry wors options, including kudu biltong, spicy chutney stix and fatty or lean biltong. For 16 years they've been providing festival-goers with this truly South African snack, and the Biltong King is still a worthwhile stop on the Village Green.
In addition to these mouth-watering local and foreign culinary delights, visitors to the Village Green can satisfy their tummies and taste-buds at stalls dedicated solely to German foods, freshly squeezed juices, hot chips and countless other options.