Managed by All Leisure Travel, a division of the Compass Group SA, the restaurant was designed specifically to cope with large volumes of airport customers who typically don't have much time to spend in a restaurant. The facility, which opened on the new Pier terminal in December 2007, can easily handle over 500 customers and sports a 12m bar, comfortable sofa areas with large TV plasma screens and a well-ventilated smoking area.
According to Klaus Loevgreen, MD of All Leisure Travel, this is the second Ekaya restaurant to be opened by the company: "The first opened at George airport in April 2007 and the OR Tambo restaurant has been built with the same functionality as the George outlet but has its own unique atmosphere, providing a relaxing ambience for weary travellers."
The food court offers a variety food and beverage options - from special coffees, hot drinks and the upmarket wine-by-the-glass selection, to a sandwich and deli section, a salad buffet and a comprehensive carvery station. The restaurant also features confectionery goods such as sweets and freshly baked pastries.
All Leisure Travel has made use of its international expertise to introduce a number of new products and innovations such as a state-of-the-art self-service coffee station that uses a "bean-to-cup" process to ensure a consistent freshness and high-quality, and the special food warming system that keeps the hot food selection at the correct temperature.
This compact food warming system is said to be the first of its kind in South Africa and in addition to advanced temperature technologies, it also has high safety specifications, making it ideal for big, busy kitchens.
A unique fully-automatic chicken roaster display oven has also been imported for Ekaya. The roaster can roast up to 48 chickens within 30-40 minutes - thus ensuring continuous supply of fresh product.
