Hilton Windhoek announced the appointment of Leon Hatton-Jones as the hotel’s new executive chef. In his new role, Hatton-Jones will be responsible for the culinary operations across the hotel’s four renowned restaurants and bars: Centrum – the relaxing lobby lounge and café, Kalabar – the vibrant sports bar, Ekipa – the main all-day dining venue with live show kitchen and the popular Skybar – boasting panoramic views of the city.
With over 17 years of industry experience, South African-born Hatton-Jones holds a Diploma in Professional Cookery from City and Guilds and a Diploma in Training and Development from the Hospitality Industry Training Board. He was also the Chairman of the South African Chef’s Association Gauteng Committee, senior judge at the Unilever Chef of The Year for five years and won the 2010 Prawn Festival Fine Dining Category award.
“We believe in employing the industry’s finest; Leon is an exceptionally talented chef with extensive industry experience gained at a range of reputable establishments. We are delighted to welcome him to the Hilton Windhoek team and look forward to his creative flair, vision and experience translating into a wonderful culinary journey for each guest.”, says John McAree, general manager at Hilton Windhoek.
Hatton-Jones will be responsible for implementation of the latest culinary trends, introduction of new food & beverage concepts, training and development of team members.
A firm believer of using only the freshest local produce, Hatton-Jones says, “I strive to preserve the integrity of ingredients and am committed to serving uncomplicated yet impressive dishes that burst with flavour. The combination of modern and traditional cooking techniques is another passion of mine and I’m really looking forward to making my mark on the culinary offering at the Hilton Windhoek.”
