Four months of organising paid off, as the Food and Wine Festival attracted a large number of attendees on May 30.

The annual fundraiser is for the St Andrew’s School for Girls Rowing Support Club. Chairperson of the St Andrew’s School for Girls Rowing Support Club, Monique Ehlers, shared that planning for the event focused on bringing together a diverse, high-quality mix of vendors that promised an unforgettable experience for seasoned connoisseurs and passionate culinary enthusiasts, alongside other activities.

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Hosted on the beautiful grounds of St Andrew’s School for Girls, Ehlers acknowledged that the festival feels removed from the bustle of the surrounding suburb. Amidst picturesque gardens and elegant buildings, with glorious sunsets, Ehlers observed that it extends an atmosphere more reminiscent of a stunning wine farm than a function in the heart of the city.

She said the festival directly supports the rowing club by channelling all profits—primarily from ticket sales—back into the program.

These funds help ensure the club can maintain high standards and continue providing its rowing girls with the resources they need to perform at their best.

Ehlers further said income from the festival is used to improve and maintain essential rowing equipment, including boats, blades, and the club’s fleet of trailers. It also helps fund upgrades and the purchase of new equipment where needed.

“The importance of this support is reflected in the club’s recent achievements. St Andrew’s School for Girls Rowing Club recently completed an exceptional season and was named the country’s top girls’ rowing school for the second consecutive year after an outstanding performance at the South African Schools Rowing Championship Regatta in March,” expanded Ehlers.

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This year’s theme, “A Symphony of Flavours,” was inspired by the way the festival brings together many distinct elements to create one noteworthy event, the chairperson revealed. Much like a symphony blends different instruments in harmony, she noted that the festival combines fine wines, a variety of food offerings, artisanal products, live background music, colourful décor, and the beautiful setting of the school into something greater than the sum of its parts.

She added, “Every exhibitor and vendor, every flavour, and each guest contributes to the overall experience, making the theme a fitting expression of the festival’s spirit.”

Ehlers noted that the Food and Wine Festival has grown steadily over the (11+) years, with the rowing club proudly carrying forward its reputation as the flagship annual fundraiser. She said every year, the organising team builds on what has been learned from previous festivals, using that knowledge to refine and strengthen every aspect of the event.

This ongoing process of improvement has helped the festival evolve into an even more polished and impressive occasion, with each year offering something more exciting than the last.

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“The Food and Wine Festival has become a cherished tradition because it offers the community far more than an event—it creates a tremendous, shared experience in a warm and welcoming setting. Set over a leisurely afternoon and evening, the festival gives friends and families the chance to gather, socialise, savour the many delights on offer, enjoy the music, and simply unwind together,” described Ehlers.

“The chairperson shared that their rowing club is highly dependent on community support and on sponsorships and donations. She added, “We encourage corporate collaboration – sponsorships assist us in defraying event expenses – at the same time offering excellent exposure for our benefactors to a very targeted audience.”

She further said fundraising is an integral part of their rowing club to ensure the continued success of their young athletes well into the future.

Ehlers extended a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and supported the festival:
• Vendors who brought the flavour, the passion and the magic.
• Sponsors: Motus (Kia and Mitsubishi), House of Flowers and Shumbala Filtration Solutions.
• Rowing families to sell tickets and encouraging others to attend.
• St. Andrew’s School for Girls for providing the most amazing venue, a wonderful marketing team, and phenomenal support from the functions and grounds staff.

“With dedication, hard work, and the love of good food, great wine and community support, this event was a huge success,” acknowledged Ehlers.

The club will next host the STAR BAR (St Andrew’s Rowing Bar) and the Indoor Rowing Regatta at the upcoming Spring Expo, to be held on September 19, 2026, at the school. This will be a whole-community day featuring various sports, an exciting market with diverse vendors, and delicious food offerings.