Juan Neethling, Executive Chef at Southern Sun Waterfront is the winner of the Unilever Food Solutions Senior Chef of the Year 2018 award. Started over 40 years ago, the event is one of the oldest culinary competitions in the country and is a key highlight on the culinary calendar each year.
“I am so excited to have been chosen as the winner of this competition, and to have had the opportunity to represent Tsogo Sun and Cape Town. Personal growth has been a focus for me this year, and I’m delighted that my hard work and dedication to achieving this has paid off and resulted in this prestigious award. I am very proud to be a chef and I hope to continue growing through experiences like this going forward,” says Neethling.
Neethling began his culinary journey at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West as a trainee Chef in 1997. In 2002 he joined the First Princess cruises and went on to work on several different cruise liners all over the world. He also headed up the kitchen at a 4-star hotel in Ireland. During his time abroad, he learnt about different cultures, people and foods from all around the world, knowledge that has stood him in good stead as his career evolved. In 2008 he returned home and held various positions at several fine dining restaurants, golf clubs, and wine farms but his true love remained with hotels. In 2017 he joined Tsogo Sun as Executive Chef of Southern Sun Waterfront, the 537-bedroom hotel located at the entrance to Cape Town’s bustling foreshore.
“We are extremely proud of Juan and his achievement,” says Jacques Moolman, General Manager at Southern Sun Waterfront. “He is passionate about the industry, creative and hands on, leading by example for all his staff. This award reflects his knowledge and love for all things food related and he is truly deserving of this accolade.”
Neethling’s exceptional food can be enjoyed at Southern Sun Waterfront’s elegant Yizani restaurant that has a menu to suit contemporary trends and tastes, featuring South African and international cuisine. The restaurant is open daily from 18:30 – 22:30 and has also recently launched a spectacular Sunday Lunch buffet offering, every Sunday from 12:30.
Southern Sun Waterfront is one of Tsogo Sun’s over 100 hotels and 13 casino and entertainment destinations in South Africa, Africa and the Seychelles. For more details, visit https://www.tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like on Facebook /TsogoSun.
