Meet highly skilled Chef Andre – who creates delectable menu choices at Emerald Resort & Casino’s High Stakes
Chef André Bezuidenhout is the Head Chef at Emerald Resort & Casino’s upmarket steak restaurant, aptly named – High Stakes. Here he specialises in producing indulgent gourmet cuisine with an impeccable selection of fine wines at the exceptional location.
Chef Andre has been Executive Chef at High Stakes for the past four years and has instilled his own personal flair on the staff and restaurant. Delectable dishes like creamy garlic escargot topped with parmesan and a drizzle of white wine syrup, peri chicken liver, with a capsicum peri sauce and the ever popular coconut chicken prawn curry have become household names to patrons that regularly visit the restaurant.
Chef André says his inspiration breeds from the people that frequent High Stakes. And because he is always eager to listen to feedback- essentially the patrons dictate the menu. “During my four years here, I have come to understand our community’s tastes and have come to understand what they enjoy eating,” says Chef André. “The menu itself is always an on-going process as we seek to exceed our customer’s food expectations.”
Qualified at HTA School of Culinary Art in Randburg, Chef André has a long chef’s pedigree which has taken him from Kloppenheim Country estate, Kapama Private Game Lodge to the Bull Run Sandton as Executive Sous Chef. He has applied his trade at some of the top hotels in South Africa which includes The Hilton in Sandton and Le Franschhoek in Cape Town – quite the resume.
“I love creating new flavours with food,” says Chef André. “Food is not just something you eat. It is an art form that tempts all your senses at once, from smell to sight, to sound/ambience and taste, it really is something you fall in love with.
Flavours that are not normally seen together are specifically combined so that guests can experience different taste and flavour sensations on their palate. Combinations like chicken liver marshmallows, basil pesto dust, smoked stuffed mozzarella cheese and hydrated beetroot can be seen at special, invite only, VIP Chef Tables.”
High Stakes is a lovely fine dining establishments that foodies will love, whether locally from the Vaal area or those making the short 45minute drive from Johannesburg. It’s here where guests can experience Chef André’s spectacular menu. From the wide selection of wines to seafood and desserts the restaurant caters to all tastes.
Situated on the casino floor at Emerald Resort & Casino.
To reserve a table at High Stakes, please phone 016 982 8355 or email highstakes@emeraldcasino.co.za.
