The Wine and Food Tourism Conference was held on Wed 18th Sept at Spier again this year. The speakers were powerful and insightful with plenty of creative ideas: from high-tech from Dave Duarte, Judith Lewis, Miles Kubheka (Vuyo Wors) and Katlego Flocart Dithlokwe to low-tech with the very passionate restaurauteur Fortunato Mazzone from the famous Forti Restaurant in Gauteng, whose passionate message was very much about being hands-on, knowing your customer and giving them something special, which I must say seems to be something people forget! This was also the first year that the conference introduced their Wine & Food Tourism Awards which were hotly contested There were 3 categories and 3 honorees were awarded in each category: Service Excellence: Waterford Delaire Graff Leeu Collection Authentic South African Wine & Food Experience: Grootbos Die Tuishuisie (Cradock) La Motte Innovation: Creation Wines Fryer's Cove Spice Route Well done to Margi Biggs and her team - a great inspiring and thought-provoking day it was.