"Out of this world! Simply out of this world," enthused Forty Mazzone.
Mazzone, who owns one of the best cellars in Pretoria at the award-winning Ritrovo restaurant, was waxing lyrical a day after successfully bidding at the Nederburg auction, held in Paarl in the Western Cape.
The biggest independent restaurant buyer at the auction this year, Mazzone said he felt this was the best auction he had ever been to. He was talking not so much about what went on in the auction hall, but about of the organisation, catering and atmosphere. Mazzone's sentiments that the auction was "an absolutely superb effort" were echoed by most visitors to the 32nd Nederburg auction.
Perhaps it was after last year's somewhat dismal effort; at the time many invitees complained about bad organisation, lack of food and the lack of a festive atmosphere.
But new management and new caterers ensured this year that visitors were in for a treat from the word go. Luxury breakfast packs were waiting for guests as they arrived at the estate.
These were followed by sumptuous canapés and buckets of oysters as the bidding went on in the Johan Graue Hall.
Dish caterers, run by well-known Cape Town foodies Andrea and Oscar Foulkes, devised a clever menu which, unlike the formal set menus of previous years, included dishes of delicious braai goodies.
Included in the line-up was seared tuna on lemon grass skewers, chicken and beef kebabs, prawns, sausages and spicy boerewors.
Another break with tradition saw tables, couches and cushions spread on the lawns and in a marquee so guests could wander around, relax and help themselves to salads and delicacies from the various food stations dotted around the gardens.
Sushi chefs were hard at work at one station conjuring up a range of yummy bites.
At another table, pasta chefs were whipping up dishes like butternut ravioli sizzled in a butter and sage sauce and penne in a chilli tomato sauce.
Tray after tray of various other temptations kept flowing from the kitchen - small bowls of refreshing salads, from smoked salmon and strawberry to salade nicoise, to smoked chicken with fresh mango and avocado slices.
Then it was time for the fashion show and visitors were treated to some magnificent eye candy from many of the country's top designers.
Gert van der Merwe, Black Coffee, Sun Goddess and Lunar showcased their latest winter designs - from warm autumn hues to pastel shades to a trendy take on African designs.
Guests were still lolling on the lawns or lazing on couches with glasses of Nederburg's finest old brandies in the late afternoon as waiters strolled around proferring cups of ice cream, koeksisters, chocolate brownies and for the seriously peckish, miniature tin buckets filled with freshly fried chips and toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches.
In Mazzone's words: "It was so clever and innovative - to go to the auction all dolled up and be served chip and dip is great. It's fun! This is what it should be about."