Category Archives: Food & Drink

Ultramel Turns 50 & Launches New Milkshake Range

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I’m a big fan of custard, and in particular Ultramel custard. My favourite way to enjoy it, is with canned pears – my mouth is watering just writing this sentence!

Everyone has their favourite UltraMel custard moment, reminiscent of all the great memories created with friends and family for generations. Having enjoyed 5 decades of being Mzansi’s favourite custard, it’s time to shake things up with Ultra Mel’s new and exciting full cream milkshake variants.

Social media has been abuzz with the question “How do you UltraMel?” … Red or green jelly? Vanilla or cinnamon? Hot or cold? Malva or Trifle? Big or small spoon? However you UltraMel, everyone has memory-filled stories to share.


If the original UltraMel is anything to go by, it’s time to indulge in great tasting milkshakes and create some more memories, whether you’re in the streets of eKasi or the suburbs of Sandton. No matter which flavour moves you more, chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, you’re bound to find a firm favourite. The new thick and creamy range will be sure to deliver joy in every drop!


“We’re excited to be introducing South Africans to the new way to UltraMel – bringing all of the exceptional taste heritage you’ve come to love over the last 50 years into this new, fun, anytime treat.” said Lazola Dali, Marketing Manager: Local Icons, Danone Southern Africa.


With the iconic brand celebrating its 50th Birthday this year, the new product launch marks an important milestone for the UltraMel family and is a great prelude to the astounding anniversary.

The new UltraMel Thick & Creamy Milkshakes are convenient and embody a rich, delightful taste that allows for an anytime and any occasion treat.


With a long shelf life, you can have a few of the 275ml milkshakes stocked up for those daily on-the-go moments. Packaged in 70% recycled PET plastic and priced from R15,99, this new range is available nationwide at all leading supermarkets and even your nearest fuel station.


After 50 golden & creamy years, Mzansi’s families have a tasty new way to “Ultra Mel” and enjoy their favourite dessert – old school or new school, glug or straw, spoon or shake… either way, it’s certainly still the tasty experience of joy in every drop that you have come to love.

Check out my Instagram or TikTok for the press drop video – @mishkah7 on both platforms.

Hyatt South Africa launches Iftaar and Suhoor offerings for Ramadan

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As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Hyatt South Africa are getting into the spirit of this auspicious month, launching an Iftaar and Suhoor offering for the duration of the fasting period.

I attended the launch last night at Hyatt House in Melrose, Johannesburg and you can view my TikTok video about this event here or below.

The buffet offering will be available to inhouse guests and local patrons at all properties in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Last year, the Hyatt Regency Cape Town, ran with an Iftaar buffet that proved to be a huge success.

“We were encouraged and pleased by the response we had last year and felt that it was necessary to continue with this offering again and build on it,” explained Asif Raza, Cluster General Manager for Hyatt South Africa.

“With two more properties added to the portfolio, we are now pleased to offer guests Suhoor and Iftaar at all three properties and look forward to sharing their Ramadan experience with them.”

Raza promises guests a tantalizing buffet menu.

“Our food and beverage team led by recently appointed specialty chef, Asif Mughal, have curated a delicious yet versatile menu that will include Arabic, Indian, Pakistani and South African dishes in the form of salads, hot and cold starters, main meals, desserts and traditional Ramadan beverages,” said Raza.

Chef Asif Mughal

The Iftaar buffet at Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank and Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton will cost R275 per person with children between 6 and 12 years of age paying R150 and children under 6 eating free.

The Iftaar buffet at Hyatt Regency Cape Town will cost R299 per person with children between 6 and 12 years of age paying R150 and children under 6 eating free.

The Suhoor buffet will cost R150 per person at all three properties. For guests staying at the hotel, this cost is included in the room rate.

Guests requesting privacy during the Iftaar buffet or looking for spaces that can accommodate groups can contact the hotels directly with their requests.

“We have wonderful spaces at all three of our hotels that will make for a great private dining experience. At our Sandton property, we have the Treehouse; in Rosebank we have the spectacular rooftop View overlooking Johannesburg and in Cape Town we have the Pool Terrace, Regency Club Lounge and private conferencing venues that can be converted to dining spaces.” concluded Raza.

Guests can visit the following Hyatt hotels to experience the Iftaar and Suhoor offerings:

  • Hyatt Regency Cape Town – 126 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town, Tel: +27 21 214 1234
  • Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton – 125 Ann Crescent, Sandton, Tel: +27 10 601 1234
  • Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank – 28 Tottenham Avenue, Melrose, Tel: +27 10 476 1234

Follow the Hotels Facebook and Instagram pages for up-to-date information on Accommodation and Food & Beverage promotions.

You can visit the Hyatt House website here.

On site prayer facilities are available at all three properties.

Society Coffee Launches New Mochaccino Flavour

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It’s been two years…two very long years…of lockdown, social distancing and disconnection from family and friends.  Most of us have been altered in one way or another by COVID-19 protocols and lockdowns. Whether we have become more family-orientated, more anxious or more of a homebody, we have all been affected.

A survey conducted by Specsavers assessed what people have missed most during the lockdown period. Turns out, it’s the little things that matter the most. Of the respondents, 83% noted the freedoms of day-to-day life were most missed. However, the overriding theme was that people are longing for those everyday connections. 

Connecting with people outside of our immediate family, extended family and work colleagues after two years of disconnection can be somewhat daunting. Many may feel a sense of anxiety when it comes to being around people again, even with COVID-19 protocols in place.

However, Society Cappuccinos is encouraging South Africans to take the plunge and initiate connecting with friends and loved ones again, whether in person, or over a phone call or video call, based on the fundamental belief that we really are better together. To bring people together, Society has launched a new Mochaccino which unites two things people love – coffee and chocolate.

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Cotton Fest is back this March

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Organisers of the highly anticipated entertainment and lifestyle gathering, announced the return of the 3rd annual Cotton Fest, which is set to take place in March 2022 in Newtown, Johannesburg. The theme for 2021 is “university and campus” and the organisers have created their very own university of COTTON FEST campus through which the festival will offer a multi-layered university campus experience including a concert, merch, cafeteria, sport area and even lockers for you to store your personal belongings. 
 
With the return of the class of COTTON FEST 2019 and the sophomores from 2020, together with the freshers of 2022, it’s almost time for the graduation of the Class of 2022 at The University of COTTON FEST. 
 
Known for merging both established and upcoming South African talent,  COTTON FEST not only showcases the diversities in music while fusing the gaps within the different local current movements. With the best South African artists expected to perform over 3 stages, this action packed two-day festival returns to The Station in Newtown on the 19th & 20th March 2022.
Celebrating all South African talent, Cotton Fest not only showcases the diversities in music at large, but it also celebrates various lifestyle elements within our ‘culture,’ including fashion and sport. 
 
THE CONCERT: The COTTON STAGE will feature headline and legacy artists. The Bettr  STAGE will feature the New Wave of young talent. The Jägermeister STAGE will bring the best nights featuring House and Electronic talent, alongside some of the biggest names on the Amapiano scene right now.

SPORTS AREA: A half-court will be set up for basketball fans, along with a skating ramp for skating enthusiasts.

FASHION: Various merchandise hubs will stock unique pieces, limited branded fashion items and other sought after accessories.

CAFETERIA: Food Court will bring you a huge variety of delectable options and several fully stocked bars positioned around the venue.

MORE: There’ll also be photo booths set up for content creation as well as various chill areas to relax, recharge and reboot.

   
“Following the past 20 months that we have all lived through, we are humbled to be back yet again to make an impact in the entertainment industry. With the huge support and backing from artists from around the country, we are ready to kickstart the road back to normality in a positive way, and get the Creator Economy going again” says founder Riky Rick. “ With the industry currently flipped on its head,  Cotton Fest, together with exciting partners hope to bring together the industry, and celebrate the graduation of the first class from the University of Cotton Fest 2022.”
 
In line with current government regulations,  tickets will be limited to 2000 per day. 
 
To ensure the safety of everyone attending the festival, ALL festival attendees – including all staff, partners and performing artists – will need one of the following to gain access into the venue:
 

  • Provide a personal fully vaccinated certificate (either printed or online)
  • Provide a negative PCR test, if only vaccinated with one dose, done within 48 hours of the festival (either printed or online)
  • Do an on-site Rapid Antigen Covid Test if you have not yet been vaccinated, which is available for R150 at the venue.

 
Tickets are on sale at Webtickets and Pick ‘n Pay outlets nationwide. Options include:

  • R200 Early Bird
  • R250 Day Pass
  • R500 Weekend Pass
  • R600 Merch and day pass package 

 
This year, the University of Cotton Fest 2022 is proud to be in collaboration with Bettr.app – Africa’s first digital banking app for creators, by creators — and supported by lifestyle giant, PUMA, iconic Elixir brand Jägermeister and global digital payments leader, Visa.
 
Synonymous with youth culture in SA, the festival will be powered by none other than the iconic South African youth radio station, YFM.
 
For more information, please follow these social media handles:
 
Instagram: cottonfestjhb
Facebook: CottonFestJHB
Twitter: CottonFestJHB
www.cottonfest.co.za

MSC launches Ocean Cookbook 2022

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The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the ocean not-for-profit responsible for the world’s leading sustainable seafood ecolabel, has launched its Ocean Cookbook 2022. The free digital cookbook with the message ‘fish for tonight, and for tomorrow’ is a global collaboration between 18 award-winning chefs and 18 sustainable fishers from around the world, united in the belief that sustainable fishing is a must if we are to protect our oceans.

Using seafood from 18 MSC certified fisheries, the cookbook highlights how easy it is to rustle up healthy, sustainable seafood dishes at home. The cookbook is the centerpiece of the MSC’s communications and marketing campaign for the new year, traditionally a time for healthy and more environmentally conscious eating.


Included in the choice of recipes are a simple and delicious Cape hake recipe by Cape Town based cookbook author and food stylist, Georgia East; Scottish haddock recipe by Cornish restauranter and UK MSC Ambassador Mitch Tonks; and roasted flaked Pacific halibut in a salad topped with crunchy seeds from Canadian MSC Ambassador, Chef Charlotte Langley. On the other side of the world, MSC Chef Ambassador, Kaoru Ariga chose whole Icelandic capelin to top her Japanese Somen noodle soup and encouraged us all to minimise food waste by eating the whole fish.

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