The Dahlia Affair – A Three-Night Dinner Series with Dirk Van Der Westhuizen

About The Dahlia Affair

As part of the Love Dahlias Festival in Douglas, South Africa, The Dahlia Affair is a three-night dinner series in the Dahlia Workshop with Dirk Van Der Westhuizen

Over three evenings, the barn becomes the heart of the festival: a long table, candlelight, dahlia-filled décor and a different dress-up theme each night. Dirk cooks a three-course dinner for every event, while you and your fellow guests lean fully into the fun – from formal outfits with gumboots to funky flower crowns.

About Dirk Van Der Westhuizen

Dirk van der Westhuizen is the co-owner of Kamdebo Padstal | Bistro | Negosie in Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape, where he spends his days turning Karoo hospitality into food that feels like a memory — familiar, comforting, and quietly elevated. Known for his precision and flair on the plate, Dirk loves taking classic South African recipes and giving them a fresh “new jacket” without losing the heart of the dish.
He became a household name after winning kykNET’s Kokkedoor: Son & See with his mom, Hanna — a season filmed in Struisbaai and judged by Herman Lensing and Yolani Abrahams.
At the Love Dahlias Festival, Dirk brings that same storytelling style to The Dahlia Affair Dinner Series: a celebration of local ingredients, beautiful presentation, and the kind of table where strangers become friends by dessert.

The three themed dinners explained

Wednesday 18 March 2026 – Glam & Gumboots Dahlia Dinner 

We open the festival with a romantic long-table dinner in the Dahlia Workshop. The theme is our love affair with dahlias, and the dress code is formal with gumboots. Think candles, flowers, a three-course dinner cooked by Dirk and a slightly cheeky twist with everyone in boots.

Thursday 19 March 2026 – Dahlia of Your Dreams Dinner

On Thursday night you dress as the dahlia of your dreams. Choose colors, textures and a style inspired by your favourite dahlia and join us for a three-course dinner by Dirk. This is the playful, colourful night with plenty of photos and lots of imagination at the table.

Friday 20 March 2026 – Funky Flower Crown Finale Dinner

On Friday we close the festival with the Funky Flower Crown Finale Dinner. The dress code is simple: wear the funkiest flower crown you can dream up. Under the beams of the Dahlia Workshop, surrounded by blooms, we share a final three-course finale menu from Dirk and celebrate the end of a dahlia-filled week together.

At a glance

• Event: The Dahlia Affair – A Three-Night Dinner Series with Dirk Van Der Westhuizen

• Location: Dahlia Barn, Love Dahlias Farm, Douglas, Northern Cape, South Africa

• Nights included:

  • Wednesday – Glam & Gumboots Dahlia Dinner

  • Thursday – Dahlia of Your Dreams Dinner

  • Friday – Funky Flower Crown Finale Dinner

• Chef: Dirk (Kokkedoor Son & See) – three-course menu each night

• Format: Long-table, seated dinners in the Dahlia Workshop

• Dress codes:

  • Night 1: Formal with gumboots

  • Night 2: Dress as the dahlia of your dreams

  • Night 3: Funky flower crowns

• Ticket type: One ticket admits one person to the dinner you choose

Who this series is for

The Dahlia Affair is ideal for:

• Festival guests who want the full evening experience, not just daytime workshops

• Food lovers who enjoy thoughtful, comforting South African cooking

• Friends, couples or solo travellers who love a bit of dress-up and themed nights

• Anyone who wants to feel part of the inner circle of the Love Dahlias Festival

If you’re travelling for the festival, this is the easiest way to anchor your trip: your evenings are sorted, and you know you’ll end each day at a long, beautiful table.

What’s included

Your Dahlia Affair ticket includes:

• A reserved seat at the dinner you choose

• A three-course dinner cooked by Dirk Van Der Westhuizen

• Access to the styled Dahlia Workshop venue for each evening (perfect for photos and memories)

Drinks and any extras (for example, welcome drinks or wine) will be confirmed closer to the festival and may be charged separately.

Important ticket information

• One ticket admits one person to the date you purchase in The Dahlia Affair.

• Tickets are non-refundable, but you may transfer your ticket to another person if you can no longer attend.

• Full Festival Ticket Terms & Conditions apply.

After checkout you will receive:

1. An order confirmation email from Love Dahlias with your booking details.

2. A follow-up email closer to the festival with final starting times, directions to the Dahlia Workshop, and a reminder of each night’s dress code and any dietary information requests.

Please use the same name and email address for all your festival bookings so we can keep your reservations together. 55