Along with stunning scenery and country hospitality, there’s another major reason why so many couples choose a wedding in the Midlands – for the farm-fresh food!
Read More: 5 Reasons to Get Married in the Midlands
Home to some of the best farmland in the country, the Midlands’ region produces some delectable foodie delights.
Incorporating local food on your Midlands wedding menu is both trendy and tasty. Whether you’re going for a casual brunch, heaving harvest table or an elegant plated meal, there are so many ways to use local produce – which is better for the local economy, better for the environment, unique, and often far more flavourful too.
Read More: A Taste of Something New: 6 Trendy Wedding Food Ideas
To help you source some local favourites, we’ve created a list of 9 of the top foodie finds in the KZN Midlands.
#1 Terbodore Coffee
Let’s start by perking you up with some Terbodore Coffee, which is sifted and expertly roasted in artisanal style on a farm in the Midlands. Coffee connoisseurs will have their work cut out for them trying to pick the perfect blend to serve at the wedding … we say, buy the lot and you can always take it home to enjoy afterwards! Terbodore also sells small ground coffee sachets, which make for perfect wedding gift favours for the coffee fans. Terbodore also serve the most delicious meals, to go with your perfect cappo.
#2 Karkloof Farmers’ Market
Now that you’ve had your caffeine fix, you can turn your attention to the Karkloof Farmers’ Market held every Saturday between 7 am and 11 am. A valuable piece of local insight is to get there early, as things sell out fast! You’ll find an overwhelming selection of home-grown and home-made fare at the farmers’ market – from fresh produce to cheeses, pastries, bread, chocolate, baked goods, freshly-squeezed juice and more. Remember to save some space for a hearty breakfast at this hive of home-made happiness.
#3 The Gourmet Greek
The Gourmet Greek is a family-run business that has been passionately producing excellent cheeses and yoghurt since 2012. The Dimitriades family made the Midlands their home, bringing with them the Greek traditions of dairy product production. They make cheeses with full-cream milk sourced from local dairies and a double-cream yoghurt to die for! Situated onsite, The Blue Cow Deli is a casual cafe with a menu inspired by cheese with a Greek flair… who could resist?
#4 Romesco Olives
As the name suggests, Romesco are known for all things olives. Using olives from a dedicated farmer in the Western Cape, Romesco olives produce and bottle their own olive products in the Midlands. Their product range includes six pestos, three tapenades, twelve varieties of marinated olives, seven types of stuffed olives, three chutneys, three pickles, two harissas, olive oil and more. One of the best parts about visiting the store is a chance to tuck into the tasters to find your favourite harvest table fare.
#5 Dargle Valley Pork
Another family-run producer is Dargle Valley Pork, which offers an array of ethically-produced pork products – from pork roasts to smoked ham, sizzling sausages, smoked bacon, gammon, chops, Eisbein and more. Dargle Valley pigs are kept under humane conditions and are fed a protein-based, hormone-free diet, resulting in high-quality, tasty pork products.
#6 Pye’s Honey
Pye’s Honey was started by Fredrick Pye in 1948, and is now run by third-generation Pye’s. Pye’s Honey is 100% raw, organic honey from their own beehives – purely and proudly Midlands-made! The honey is spun out the honeycomb, put into the settling tank and poured into bottles, with nothing added or taken out.
#7 Indezi River Creamery
Another family-run favourite is Indezi River Creamery, a cheesery committed to producing the finest quality, handcrafted speciality cheeses and dairy products, including healthy goat cheese.
Having been established in 2002, Indezi River Creamery is celebrating nearly two decades in business and is run by cheesemakers with 50 years of experience between them.
#8 Swissland Cheese
There’s no such thing as too much cheese! Swissland Cheese adds another dimension to your cheese platter with their selection of rich and healthy goat cheese. It’s free of antibiotics and colourants, but full of flavour. Visiting Swissland Cheese is an adventure in itself. The cheese is made onsite, so you can peek in at the process. You’ll also see the galloping goats that produce the milk and have a chance to feed their funny little faces.
#9 Wedgewood Nougat
Wedgewood Nougat is another Midlands’ success story. Wedgewood was started in a family kitchen in 1999, when the family was hosting music concerts at home to make ends meet. After tasting the delicious nougat, Gilly Walters began selling her nougat at local farmers’ markets, and the rest, as they say, is history. Wedgewood Nougat is now imported all over the world, but is still based in the Midlands. Once you’ve tasted this handmade nougat made the old-fashioned way, you’ll never want another nougat bar!
Feeling a little peckish?
Why not plan a pre-wedding weekend away to find or visit your venue and try out some tasters for your Midlands’ wedding menu?
Harrington House is situated conveniently close to all of these local Midlands’ producers, so you’re invited pop in as part of your trip: https://www.harringtonhouse.co.za/contact/.
