”This is the CHEF 860 Zodiac XLE mobile braai,” said braai manufacturer Guile Lundgrin at Rand Show on Friday. ”You can cook with the lid open due to the high-pressure flame mechanism.”
Having a stand at the Rand Show at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec makes for good sales. Lundgrin should know — this is the 16th year his company is presenting its mobile-cooking equipment at the show.
”Because of the constant pressure of half a bar, even the winds in KwaZulu-Natal won’t blow out the flames while you’re cooking. This beauty will always give you nice flame-grilled meat!” grinned the self-acclaimed ”Braai Master”.
Lundgrin’s is just one of the hundreds of stands that are presenting their merchandise during the 17-day event.
Divided over six halls, people can view a seemingly endless selection of goods, from top-end massage chairs, pools and furniture to a mind-dazzling selection of products you don’t need, but end up buying anyway.
”We just wanted to get out the house for a change, look around a bit. But look at us! Now we are carrying around four bags of goods,” said one shopper, who was visiting the show for the first time.
When shoppers get bored of buying things for themselves, they can always ease their consuming urge in a different section of the show — an entire market just for pets. Giant dog bones, army-print collars and even a sweater for a favourite four-footer can be purchased here.
But shopping is not all there is to it.
”The Rand Show’s music line-up has had tremendous success in presenting fresh and new talent to South African audiences,” says Rand Show Manager Bryan Brett.
He expects about 500 000 visitors during the course of the event, which is open until April 17.