This festival is a South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association initiative and is run in association with the Soweto Tourism Association. The main objective of the event is to heighten consumer awareness of fresh cultivated mushrooms and to illustrate the versatility and flavour profile of mushrooms. To this end, some of Soweto’s hottest restaurants, pubs and clubs participate by including a host of wonderful mushroom dishes on their menus.

The cooking demonstration on 27 August will feature master chef, Citrum Khumalo and his Culinary Arts Association of South Africa (CAASA). “We are delighted to be the venue for this exciting event as it’s a wonderful profiling opportunity for Soweto. Our head chef, Jacob Masilo will also participate by creating some of his favourite mushroom dishes; mushroom terrine, mushroom soup and mushroom and herb bread roll,” says Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, general manager of The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square.

Jacob Masilo leads a team of three chef de parties and 2 commis chefs and prepares cuisine for the 60 seater Jazz Maniacs’ Restaurant, and caters for conferences and events for anywhere from 50 to 300 guests.