George Calombaris – who become famous with South African TV viewers as one of the judges of the hugely popular TV show MasterChef Australia – is heading to Johannesburg this month as the Good Food & Wine Show proudly launches the not-to-be-missed MasterChef LIVE Experience 2012!

Genial George – who will once again keep viewers glued to the screen when the highly anticipated Junior MasterChef starts on M-Net later this year –  will be reunited with former MasterChef Australia winner Adam Liaw on his second visit to Joburg thanks to overwhelming public demand.

MasterChef has become a worldwide phenomenon and the Good Food & Wine Show demonstrates that it is up-to-date with global trends by launching the country’s first MasterChef LIVE experience. This ultimate foodie event turns Joburg into a festival of cooking for four delicious days and features an all-star line-up of top chefs including Calombaris and Liaw as well as MasterChef SA winner Deena Naidoo and MasterChef SA judge Benny Masekwameng.

Visitors to the show will be able to get up close with the television programme’s favourite contestants, as well as some of the nation’s most renowned chefs for an interactive food experience including cooking classes, theatre shows, demonstrations, Q&As, mystery box challenges and MasterClasses.

Other international chefs coming to the food extravaganza include Indian cookery expert Anjum Anand; Rastafarian musician turned Caribbean cooking fundi Levi Roots and popular C Beebies children’s TV presenter Sid Sloane.

The Johannesburg Good Food & Wine Show – the highlight on the country’s culinary calendar - takes places at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg from 21 to 24 September.

Calombaris may be recognisable around the globe thanks to his TV work but there’s so much more to this likeable chef who owns five different restaurants around the world. Says George: “I am thrilled to be coming to Johannesburg. There are going to be a few little surprises during the demonstrations and I am going to ‘play’ with people’s senses. It’s also an opportunity for people to come and meet me and get a good idea of who I am and why food has played such a major part in my life.”

Adam Liaw wowed audiences at last year’s Jozi Good Food & Wine Show. What can audiences expect this time around? “I want people to go away and make the dish. They must leave with a few tips and understand how I feel about food. It’s not about showing them what a great cook I am but how easy it is to make food in your own home.”

Anjum Anand’s new book which will be launched at the show takes you through the history of India and her childhood experiences: “People’s experience of eating Indian food in the west is not a true reflection of the real food we eat at home, which is lighter, fresher and far better balanced than the offerings at Indian restaurants. I try to showcase the true face of Indian food,” she says.

Reggae musician Levi Roots – who once sang Happy Birthday for former President Nelson Mandela - won an entrepreneurial competition thanks to his secret homemade sauce. This led to a hugely successful food and TV career.

Says Levi:  “I always use one reggae word and that’s ‘fabulocious’ and that’s something better than fabulous, because you know it’s all about the merging of the music and the food and those two are my two greatest passions! For me, it’s not about Levi Roots, it’s about Caribbean food. So I’m hoping to put Caribbean food up there with the rest of the cuisines we see on our TV all the time.”

Sid Sloane who presents CBeebies has written a fun-filled programme especially for The Good Food & Wine Show. He says: “I think it is so important for children to understand where their food comes from and to start cooking from a young age.”

This year’s show is bigger and better than ever before with something for everyone of all ages including fantastic shopping, celebrity chef demonstrations, hands on workshops, wine tasting and a restaurant area.
From the elegant gourmet and dessert specialists to a braai area – this jam-packed programme has something for everyone. With loads of exhibitors from small producers to big brands this year's Good Food & Wine Show is the perfect place to pick up gift ideas and recipe inspirations to impress friends and family.

Entrance tickets to the show (R135 for adults and R50 for children; children under 2 are free) can be bought through Computicket. There is a single price which includes entry into the Chefs In Action Theatre on a first come first served basis; entry into the MasterChef Live Kitchen, a first ever where you can cook alongside or watch the judges and contestants; entry into the LG Life’s Good Championships and entry into the Denny braai and buy experience where you can see chefs and celebrities demonstrating great braai ideas, especially for Heritage Day.

For visitors to the show wishing to secure a seat in the Chefs In Action Theatre for the chef of their choice; the VIP package is available which includes the opportunity to meet the chefs in the MTN VIP Lounge; a signed cookbook; a photo opportunity and complimentary canapés and drinks in the MTN Lounge prior to the demonstration with VIP seating in the Chefs In Action Theatre.

More details on www.goodfoodandwineshow.co.za