GiGi Rooftop to open at Gorgeous George, Cape Town

"Our philosophy at Gorgeous George is 'come for breakfast, stay all day’, so the menu will have a relaxed feel, using some classic French techniques, while also drawing on all my experiences, which include Asian fusion, South African and modern UK influences."

After a gap year in the United Kingdom working at a café in Surrey, Bennett enrolled for the Paarl (South Africa)-based Hurst Campus Advanced Food and Wine Chefs diploma, which he completed in 2009.

Bennett’s first post-diploma job was under the classically trained Edgar Osojnik at Buitenverwachting Wine Estate in the South African Winelands, where the young graduate learnt discipline, values and the importance of strong management. In 2013 Bennett was appointed sous chef at the One & Only Hotel in Cape Town, working with South African celebrity chef Reuben Riffel. Next, Michelin-rated head chef Michael Deg at Delaire Graff Restaurant gave Bennett the dedicated work ethic required to create high-quality food for large numbers at this prestigious establishment.

Being part of Design HotelsTM, GiGi will stay true to the ideology of innovative design and architecture, with a strong cultural rooting in hospitality. This will be brought out in the menu, which will benefit cutting-edge cooking techniques, distinctive plating and seasonal locally sourced ingredients.

Gorgeous George will be taking bookings from 18 April 2019.