Aaahh, so the indulgent temptation of a sequel to my taste escapades has brought you here to get the last course on how I worked my way through the Taste of Durban.

This year’s Taste of Durban had so many sweet novelties on offer that it was hard to remember the most common words of the year; like diet, carbohydrate intake and banting! Instead my vocabulary (and mouth) was filled with the delicious warmth of the words that could make any women happy- doughnuts, macarons, Oreo cheesecake and red velvet cupcakes…

Due to the lingering rain following my every move, like a navy-seal operative on an intense mission, I skilfully plotted the easiest route through the arena. Manoeuvring through the crowd with my crowns, umbrella and camera all in hand, enabled quick purchases with minimum fatalities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first stop: WICKED DOUGHNUTS!

These aptly named holed orbs of delight were sinfully delicious, with its perfectly sweetened moist dough covered in thick chocolate and oreo pieces gleaming up at me from their glass case. I loved the presentation of these doughnuts, all in rows locked away in a massive wooden, glass covered case; it gave them such a forbidden science experiment appeal that had me curious to try them out. Their massive success showed on the day with most variants selling out in a flash.

A crowd favourite; Macarons were perfectly represented on the day by the reigning Queen of Macarons in KZN — DANIELA’S. The soft and chewy little mini coloured sandwiched delights were a visual feast. Bowls of the delicately flavoured macarons were on display, allowing customers the opportunity to try their many variants for a literal bite-sized price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A yummy twist from SUGARLICIOUS had the more adventurous food enthusiasts lined up to try macaron ice-cream sandwiches. Imagine biting into fluffy melt-in-your-mouth almond disks and then sinking into the creamiest flavoured ice-cream, a double-whammy dessert explosion all from one simple dessert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hands Down (and Umbrella’s Up of course), my absolute favourite of the day had to be KUPCAKE HEAVEN! I received the most amazing service, warmest welcome and product recommendations from the staff and owner present.  Their Oreo caramel cheesecake was out-of-this world amazing. Their red velvet cupcakes were rivalled only by their Lindt chocolate ones.

All these sweet, sugary and chocolaty concoctions left my sweet tooth satisfied and my mind full of remorse (which after my next bite of cake subsided considerably).

No sampling of the tastes of our beautiful City would be complete without some of the newest liquid innovations to hit our sunny shore.

I started this section of my experience the only way I know how; although this was  12 hours earlier than my regular adventures involving liquids containing the in-famous –OH group.

Castle Milk Stout had a robust and comfortable lounge area that offered customers a tasting session of their new Chocolate flavoured Stout. The new cocoa blend added to their classic malt drink tasted fresh and palatable to female drinkers and offered a taste similar to an iced coffee drink.

Another classic artisan beer favourite of Durbanites  in attendance was Notties Brewery, with a selection of their finest draughts chilled straight from the keg.  

Original Cocktails brought out my inner-child with their colourful slushie inspired cocktails. I chose my all-time fav, the Singapore Sling and enjoyed every single straw slurped sip whilst parading through the taste arena.

The Bicardi Mixology Lounge offered patrons popular cocktails made the Bicardi way in a very sophisticated and modern mini-lounge area.    

On the Wine front- Arniston Bay’s range of Infusion wines had me enthralled! The unexpected bubbly fruity combinations popped on arrival onto my palette and for the first time had me genuinely interested in maybe possibly converting into a wine drinker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another unexpected surprise to my now possible love affair with wine was from Waterford Estate. Their exhibit was naturally delicate offering a mini wine tasting experience paired with their own range of chocolates. The dessert wine paired with the rose geranium chocolate was pure bliss.

Luckily all the samples being offered at Aqua Inn water helped curb my growing enthusiasm; whilst Sir Juice ensured I reached part of my daily 5-a-day fruit intake with their fresh full-flavoured range of juices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was so much on offer at this year’s Taste of Durban that you were a real spoilt sport if you allowed the rain to win over your decision to attend or not. The food was scrumptious, the exhibitors prepared and the customers satisfied.

People of Durban, you’ve got a year to prep, plan and purchase all you need to ensure come 2016-whether rain or rainbows, you will be sampling your backyard food hideouts at the next Taste of Durban.

If you missed part 1 you can catch it here

The post SASHA’S TASTE OF TASTE OF DURBAN 2015: PART 2 appeared first on .

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