The oyster parade

The Pick ‘n Pay Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras 2007 Best Oyster Dish – Cruise Café’s “Oysters Benedict with a twist”

The two main events on the fitness front — though there are many others — are the Forest Marathon and the Cycle Tour. Throw abstinence to the wind, however, at the Oyster & Wine Mardi Gras, presented by Tabasco, and the Official Heineken Afterparty.

Talking of “wind”, I hope the weather holds, for the sake of the sportsmen, if not for the oyster-guzzlers — who are expected to get through close on 100000 of the briny molluscs (last year festivalgoers managed 84000). As I discovered last week, when it's windy in Knysna you have to hold on not only to your hat but to your husband or wife as well.

Watch out for signs that identify 30 Tabasco Hotspots, where you're guaranteed to pay as little as R4,25 apiece for fresh coastal oysters.

I prefer them au naturel with a squeeze of lemon, a grinding of black pepper, a drop of the hot stuff and a glass of bubbly (glamorous Zachary's Restaurant at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa will do you proud). But you can have yours tempura style with ginger relish and wasabi mayonnaise (at the Rex Hotel's Dish), stuffed into an omelette along with smoked salmon (Belvidere Manor) or even atop a pizza (Nauticus Restaurant).

Sports on offer also span canoeing, bowling, soccer and golf.

There are lifestyle events for all ages — from cooking and art classes, theatre and dress-up parades to picnics and music workshops.

For the lowdown go to the website at www.oysterfestival.co.za.

Source: Financial Mail

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