Wine Diva

Well-known food writer and critic Anna Trapido is the new editor of dine, the SA restaurant guide published by WINE magazine and Diners Club International. She fills the breech left by Justine Drake, who relinquished the position owing to personal commitments.

“I am really honoured to be entrusted with such a fine South African culinary landmark,” she said of her appointment.  “My aim is to work with customers, critics and chefs in order to produce a document that reflects South Africa’s diverse and vibrant food culture.”

Anna has a long and illustrious career as a food columnist, book author, critic and radio guest.  Her culinary qualifications include a diploma in food and wine from the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine (where she is currently the co-ordinator of the Pan African Culinary Studies Programme), and certificates from the Cape Wine Academy. She has also notched up stints with several notable restaurants as well as catering and confectionary concerns.

Together with Coco Reinhardz, Anna co-authored the book To the Banqueting House: African Cuisine An Epic Journey. Published last year, it has earned them a nomination in the food history section of the 2007 World Gourmand Cookbook Awards and put them in line to win the prestigious Best Cookbook in the World award in that category. The winner will be announced in Beijing next month.

Anna is a regular contributor to magazines such as Food & Wine Entertaining, Eat In, Financial Mail, Mail & Guardian and WINE magazine, and food columnist for the Sunday Independent and Sunday Times.

She is already hard at work putting together the team of critics who will recommend where to eat in South Africa – including the Top 100 Restaurants – for the 2008 edition of dine, due out in October ‘07.

Savour 5 Star Chenin Blanc

Wine lovers have the opportunity to taste a superb selection of top-class wines from the 2007 Chenin Blanc Challenge – two 5 Star masterpieces, two 4? Star wines and a further four 4 Star winners – in two public tastings later this month.

Heading the line-up is the award-winning KWV Val du Chêne Chenin Blanc 2005, together with the FMC Forrester Meinert Chenin Blanc 2005, both 5 Stars, and the Kleine Zalze Bush Vines Chenin Blanc ‘05 and Bellingham The Maverick Chenin Blanc ‘05, rated 4? Stars.

Mulderbosch winemaker Mike Dobrovic will lead the tastings at the Park Hyatt in Johannesburg on 15 March and the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town on 19 March. Tickets, at R100 a person, can be booked by emailing smart@rsp.co.za or phoning 0860 100 203.