Four young Sun International chefs were recently selected to take part in the World Hospitality Championships as part of the National Junior Culinary Team, with their uniforms sponsored by Sun International. This is part of the personal initiative adopted by The Palace and the passion of Executive Chef at The Palace, Nicholas Froneman – who is also Director of the South African Chefs Association.
He said: “This is a development project and not a local SACA or committee project, although we are doing it very much as part of Sun City Chefs Brigade and for Sun International’s Brand Development as our food offering is a ket strategic focus for us. We have also been working closely with the team Manager Klaus Beckmann, to invigorate the team and ensure continuity of the teams endeavors and future success.”
Chef Froneman said they had been fortunate to be sponsored by The Palace, Sun City and by Sun International Head office “who are working on a two-year sponsorship deal”. He added: “We will, however, be looking for more sponsors to ensure the viability for the whole team, as it is a self-funded team that relies heavily on patrons and sponsors, to stay in the game.”
The Palace hotel is sponsoring a full chef’s uniform for the six South African team members (four of them employed at restaurants at Sun City) and their Coach, Klaus Beckmann. Chef Froneman said: “All 4 of these young chefs – Jerry Magae, Darrel Rampete, Nkululeko Hlongwane and Thatho Khumalo – have been selected to compete in Dubai in December at The World Hospitality Championships.”
This Sun International sponsorship is in conjunction with culinary and hospitality apparel specialist – and another sponsor of the Junior team – Maestro Chef.
Since April this year, The Maslow – Sun International’s urban retreat set in the heart of Africa’s business hub, Sandton – has also sponsored accommodation for out-of-town team members from Durban.
As a non-profit company, the SA Chefs Association relies heavily on the support of sponsors to establish and manage the Culinary Olympics team effectively. Sun International has been a long-standing patron of the SA Chefs Association and joins the esteemed list of sponsors including Bosasa, Ecolab, Sir Juice, Turn ‘n Slice, Maestro Chef and Braeside Butchery.
