Taste of Cape Town 2026: Top chefs, wine estates and GoodLuck headline two-day food festival - IOL

The entertainment programme will feature GoodLuck, alongside Dino Moran, Bang Bang Music, Kitchen Mess and a selection of DJs.

Cape Town's food, wine and entertainment scene will come together later this month as Taste of Cape Town 2026 prepares to showcase some of South Africa's leading culinary talent in a two-day celebration of local flavours, culture and creativity.

Taking place at Green Point Cricket Club on November 28 and 29, the festival will bring together 12 chefs representing 10 kitchens, offering visitors an opportunity to experience food from some of the country's most acclaimed restaurants.

Speaking at a press conference at the Taj Cape Town on Thursday, November 12, Bonnke Shipalana, Group CEO of The Allure Group, said the festival was about more than food, positioning South African cuisine as an important part of the country's cultural identity and international appeal.

Shipalana said The Allure Group's decision to bring the platform to Cape Town was rooted in its belief in showcasing South Africa's strengths on an international stage.

The agency has previously been involved in projects including the launch of the Nelson Mandela banknote, hosting COP17 and bringing the Finance in Common Summit to Cape Town.

He said food and drink played an important role in how visitors experienced and remembered a destination.

"When the world takes the measure of a country, it looks at three things. The flag. That is the political atmosphere. Is this country stable, is it free, does it keep its word. The currency. That is economic value. Can this country trade, can it build, can it be trusted with money. And the culture," Shipalana said.

He argued that while political and economic reputations were often debated in boardrooms and parliaments, a country's cultural identity was also shaped in its kitchens.

"You cannot read a nation's soul off a balance sheet. You taste it," he said.

At the heart of Taste of Cape Town 2026 will be 12 chefs representing some of the country's most celebrated dining establishments.

The line-up includes James Gaag of La Colombe; Peter Tempelhoff and Ashley Moss of FYN; Arlind Harizaj of Amura; Shaun Scrooby of Vuur; Bertus Basson of Basson and Co; Marcus Gericke of URCHIN; Amori Burger of Upper Union; Vusi Ndlovu of EDGE Africa; Nicolo Rovarini and Federico Rocca of Riva; and Ismail Amos of The Wiggle.

Shipalana paid tribute to the chefs, describing their work as an important contribution to the reputation of Cape Town and South Africa as culinary destinations.

He said their influence extended beyond the restaurants they represented, with every dish helping to tell a bigger story about the country.

"Every plate that leaves your pass is an argument for South Africa, made without a single slide," he said.

He also acknowledged the demanding nature of the restaurant industry, highlighting the long shifts, early mornings, sacrifices and dedication required to maintain high culinary standards.

"You are the Taste in Taste of Cape Town. And we thank you," he said.

Beyond the culinary line-up, visitors can look forward to a selection of South African wines, with five wine estates participating in the festival.

Shipalana said the intention was to offer visitors an opportunity to experience the wines through the people behind them, rather than simply showcasing brands through traditional sponsorship displays.

The entertainment programme will feature GoodLuck, alongside Dino Moran, Bang Bang Music, Kitchen Mess and a selection of DJs.

Performances will continue until 10pm, with the organisers promising an experience that brings together food, wine and music.

Shipalana said the festival would also give the public access to restaurants and chefs whose tables are often booked weeks in advance.

For two days, visitors will be able to experience the work of some of the country's leading kitchens in one location.

He encouraged South Africans to support the event and celebrate the people and experiences that contribute to Cape Town's reputation as a world-class destination.

His invitation was simple: "Come for the chefs, stay for the city. Come for the chefs, stay for the entertainment."

Taste of Cape Town 2026 takes place on November 28 and 29 at Green Point Cricket Club in Cape Town.

The festival's message is captured in its tagline: "Feed Every Sense."