Virtual Gala Dinner

Booking deadline: food and wine deliveries must be booked by end of day, Monday, March 15th.

We are trading the House of Lords for the House of Zoom on Tuesday, 23^rd March 2021 - in under three weeks' time. The SA Chamber has a wonderful evening planned for you to enjoy dinner, wine, speakers and most importantly - networking and having some fun.

The theme of the evening is a wine and food extravaganza - with wine estate owners, wine makers and wine connoisseurs sharing with us the behaviour of the various wines as paired with the respective food dishes. 

There's a nominal door priice, then you can order food and wine separately and different packages have been created to suit taste buds, palate and pocket.

We'll begin the evening at 18:00 with open networking and conversation over a glass of Laborie Method Cap Classique - a lovely South African sparkling which admirably compares with its French counterparts.  Likely conversations to begin discussing the pleasure of receiving a five-star meal to your door.

Our Master of Ceremonies for the evening with be Palesa Madumo, CEO of Vuma Reputational Management.

Formalities begin at 18:30 with a welcome and a few opening words from Jacko Maree, SACC Advisory Board, Deputy Chairman of Standard Bank Group, Chairman of Liberty Group and Trade Envoy to President Ramaphosa. 

Jacko led the Standard Bank Group, the largest banking group in Africa, as CEO for 13 years and after a four year sabbatical from Standard returned as Deputy Chairman in 2016. As Trade Envoy to the President Jacko is responsible for promoting global trade with South Africa.

Then we shall hear from Gerhard Perold, the grandson of the Pinotage creation, about the sparkling wine and how it pairs with food.  Early bookers will have received a packet of biltong as a bonus with their wine delivery, to enjoy with the sparkling wine.

The wine experience that pairs with the three courses of food, prepared and delivered by Noble House Events, will be led by Tim Pearson, a South West Englishman who owns the Seven Springs wine estate which nestles in the mountains above Hermanus, benefitting from the cool ocean air.   Tim will share his journey from a dream to being a premium quality wine producer in South Africa.

Augustus Dale, the wine maker, also from the UK has taken his northern hemisphere experience to help further elevate this premium wine estate.

Gus will talk to us about the pairing of the Unoaked Chardonnay which we shall enjoy with a healthy portion of smoked salmon.  This is a Chardonnay in the style of Chablis in France which is also an unoaked chardonnay.  This is a magical combination of fruit and minerality which matches the richness of the fish.

The main course, has to be red meat for South Africans, the best way to show off and enjoy some of the best reds South African can produce.  The Venison will be paired with an opulent berry and spicy Syrah from Seven Springs which is smooth and full bodied.  Gus will share the wine's response to the venison dish you will have before you (hopefully).

The desert will be a smooth rich cheesecake which will be magically uplifted by the noblest of wines, KWV Noble Late Harvest.  The best known South African Sauterne style wine, and made famous by Napoleon, is Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia.

Our keynote speaker is Dr Leila Fourie, Group CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Leila’s business career spans more than 20 years working in consulting, investment banking, retail banking & capital markets. She has held C-Suite roles of CEO, NED and Chair. At the JSE, Dr Fourie is responsible for the development and execution of the JSE’s corporate strategy by ensuring that the JSE remains a competitive stock exchange and a platform for growth and access to capital. She is also Co-Chair of the United Nations Global Investors for Sustainable Development and on the Board of Exchanges related to the JSE.

During the time we are enjoying our food, like we would at the House of Lords, we will be chatting with those around the table.  So "tables" will be created to allow for small group networking over the three courses, each course with a different table of guests.

After the formal event, black tie attire please - ladies, this is easier for us, a sparkly top may well win over a full length dress - we'll enjoy after dinner drinks for those who wish to stay on for further networking. 

Those who elect to buy the Jeroboam package will be able to sample the Rose - without a doubt the best Rose I have ever enjoyed.

Ways to enjoy the evening with us:

Minimum outlay is £12 per person and you provide your own drinks and food.