VANIE PADAYACHEE
Executive Chef

Vanie Padayachee was born and educated in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa and upon matriculating from Southlands Secondary School; she enrolled at the ML Sultan Hotel School to study Hotel and Catering Management where she obtained her diploma in 1994. Her passion for food was born as a result of watching her parents; both great cooks themselves, preparing exotic Indian dishes for family gatherings.

Upon graduation, she was offered to complete her ‘on-the-job-training’ at the Tropical Restaurant, Durban which followed her permanent positions at impressive establishments such as The Halyards Hotel, Port Alfred (1994 – 1996) The Plettenburg, Plettenberg Bay and Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek (December 1996 – June 2003).

During this period, 2000, while working at Le Quartier Francais she was fortunate enough to take a working holiday in the U.K and worked at The Avenue, The Stafford Hotel, Chez Bruce and Stephen Bull in London which gained her international experience, exposed her to the latest trends and assisted in her overall knowledge of the industry.

In June 2003 she was offered the position as Executive Chef at Phantom Forest where she stayed until March 2005. Due to her solid reputation in the industry, as one of South Africa’s up and coming leading Chefs, she was approached by the world famous Grande Provence Estate (March 2005) where she presently holds the position of Executive Chef.

Her cuisine is influenced by not only international flavours but also the rich diversity of cultures that is only found in South Africa and when asked how she sees food and what her style is, she wholeheartedly states, “It should be complicated simplicity yet fun, a simple and fresh approach using traditional methods prepared from local fare and flavoured with global influences both modern and classical.”

One of her biggest accolades was being named, ‘The Five Star Chef’ in October 2004 by Wine Magazine. Vanie has been part of the Knysna Oyster Festival and The Nederburg Wine Auction both of which being prestigious events on the South African culinary calendar.

For further information contact:
Charlie Bronks - Grande Provence Properties
Tel:  +27 (0)21 876 8600 Fax: +27 (0)21 876 8601
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.grandeprovence.co.za