Granita, one of Pretoria’s top restaurants, has introduced a new chef!

Shimanyana Sello has taken the culinary reigns of the restaurant where guests can enjoy a delicious gourmet wine-pairing menu seven days a week.

Chef Shimmy studied hospitality management at the Vaal University of Technology for three years and his first job as a chef was with Sandton Sun where he worked for seven years.

He joined Kievits Kroon as junior sous chef originally in 2012 and has now worked himself up to head  the team at Granita, where  he supervises and mentors a team of seven, manages the kitchen and creates menus.

Chef Shimmy describes his latest menu at Granita as a fusion of primarily South African and British cuisines with dishes like quail, springbok and duck. With this Spring menu he aims to provide light, healthy dishes, with a wow factor.

“I think it offers a diverse and classic combination of flavours. When I choose the dishes there are a few things I always take into account – the fresh produce available, what I know my guests will like and expect, and the ‘wow’ factor. I always try to put one or two of these on each plate!”

Chef Shimmy basks in the rush of working in a busy kitchen, saying “Once I was exposed to that, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My mind ‘cooks’ twenty four hours a day.”

With regards his appointment as head chef at Granita he has the following to say: “I love the freedom to be creative and appreciate the support I get from Kievits Kroon’s management team to do things that I believe will work.”