by The City of Cape Town announced this week that Day Zero has been moved forward by a week to April 22. Cape Townians might soon find themselves queuing for water at various filling stations around the city.
In the midst of all of this, some local restaurants have started charging patrons for tap water. According to chairperson of Fedhasa Cape, Jeff Rosenberg, restaurants aren’t allowed to charge customers for water.
So we might need water to drink, but do we really need water to grow our food? A Cape Town design studio has made ‘waterless’ cooking a reality.
Fighting The War On Water
South African and Dutch food designers, known as S/Zout, have created three waterless dinner experiences in Cape Town. These events will take place from 23-25 January and will seat a maximum of 87 guests per sitting. Each guest will represent a litre in the maximum number of litres allocated to each person per day. The City faces the worst drought in centuries with level six water restrictions in full effect.
The aim of the waterless dinner project is to show people how delicious ‘waterless’ food can actually taste.
The food served uses salt-tolerant crops farmed using seawater, fresh produce which has been grown without essential-use water.
The shocking truth is that up to 69% of all fresh water is used for farming around the world. This doesn’t leave much water for other essential processes.
Here’s a video by local vlogger, Adam Spires and local comedian, Siv Ngesi, discussing the truths behind the water crisis:
What’s On The Menu?
Guests who attend the waterless dining experience can expect to enjoy food made from only foods produced in sea water. The following produce has been grown successfully in sea water and will be used to make the cuisine:
- Carrots;
- Tomatoes;
- Potatoes;
- Lettuce;
- Cabbage;
- Strawberries;
- Onions;
- Garlic.
Although the menu has yet to be confirmed, some of the sea water delicacies include the following:
- Salt water soda;
- Lettuce ketchups;
- Seaweed bacon;
- Cabbage cake iced with carrot jam.
The Finer Details
Not only will be people experience the thrill of trying something new and delicious, but ticket proceeds will go to a great cause.
Last year, a fire destroyed the Veld and Sea Institute in Scarborough. The institute focuses on educating people on sustainability.
The outside area of the centre was destroyed- this is where many of the classes took place. The money raised will be used to repair the damage caused by the blaze as well as removing any alien vegetation in the area that is able to spark another fire.
How Much Is It?
Tickets cost R550 per person and can be bought from Quicket here.
Where Is It?
37 Parliament Street, Cape Town. The event starts at 7pm and ends at 11pm.
*For more information about the event or the tickets, you can email: h@studio-h.co.za
