AN INTRODUCTION TO CHEF ZAYNE
“Thanks to riverbend lodge for the
most phenomenal family holiday ever. The location is beautiful, the elephant
viewing is a once in a lifetime experience, the cooking is Michelin star level
and the service is world class and sincere.”
Those words explain it all.
Zayne Grobler our new
Executive Head Chef at River Bend Lodge is creating a stir on the Fine Dining
scene in the Eastern Cape.
Zayne joined our team
in March and he has already got our guests ‘tastebuds doing tumble turns’ as he
ups the ante at our Silver Thorns Restaurant at River Bend.
Zayne hails from the
South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal and has had a passion for food for as long as he
can remember.
Before heading off to
his first job as Head Chef at the famous Fugitive’s Drift Lodge he received his
formal training from Christina Martin.
After time at
Fugitive’s Drift it was back to Durban for a 3 year stint, gaining more experience, before making a big
move to Franschhoek…..the culinary capital of South Africa! Here he had 3 and a
half years with Darren Badenhorst (whom he credits as one of his best mentors
and influences) at Grande Provence before taking up his position at River Bend.
Zayne doesn’t limit
himself to any particular narrow style of cooking, and prefers to explore what
is trending, but always keeps his foundations anchored in traditional French
Cuisine, infused with international flavours, techniques and cultural practices.
It is wonderful to
watch, taste and pair Wine with Zayne’s Culinary Creations as he sets about his
avowed intention of making River Bend Lodge the leader in Fine Dining in the
Eastern Cape at our Silver Thorns Restaurant.
(To view a larger version of these images click on one of the photos.
Images the property of River Bend Lodge)
