Hospitality company, Hilton Sandton has appointed Andrew Atkinson as the new Executive Chef. Atkinson has performed many roles outside of the kitchen, including several culinary television programs.
He is no stranger to success and has represented South Africa on a number of occasions and won various medals at local and international competitions. Atkinson has worked with some of the country’s most prestigious hotel groups and brings with him 28 years of culinary experience and excellence.
Notable achievements include a role on BBC’s prominent cooking show, Ready Steady Cook, a judge on Chopped SA, cooking programs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted by Brazil, and most recently he was a judge on MasterChef SA. Atkinson has also captained the SA National Culinary Team and has also been Director of Competitions for SA Chef’s Association (SACA).
Over and above these accolades he is also an accredited World Academy of Chefs Societies (WASA) judge, where he sets up competitions from start to finish. Atkinson was the Senior Sous Chef at the time of Hilton Sandton’s opening in 1997, hence his excitement about this full circle moment.
“Hotel kitchens are about team work and bringing out the best in people. Making people believe in their abilities and that they add value to the team. I aim to create an ethos within a team where all team members constantly know how their position fits into the bigger picture. For me there is nothing more rewarding in seeing people realising and then working on reaching their potential, within a team,” explains the newly appointed Executive Chef. Preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Hilton is committed to developing African talent, and the appointment of Andrew Atkinson showcases that commitment.
“I am pleased to welcome a chef of Andrew’s caliber to the Hilton Sandton and look forward to the culinary journey we will embark on in the coming months. Andrew brings a wealth of expertise and will without a doubt enhance the guest experience with quality, creativity and consistency throughout our meetings & events venues and across all food and beverage outlets.” says Gert Venter, Hotel Manager.
Hilton Sandton is set among landscaped gardens and suburban surroundings located just North of Johannesburg in the city’s business district.
