The owner of Orange Restaurant in Mbombela is one of these women, and with a career that started at the tender age of 15, one can rest assured that a dining experience at Orange is not to be missed.

Lee-Ann Benade started as a waitress at the age of 15 and worked hard in the industry. She working her way up and managed a few restaurants before finally taking the bull by the horns and purchasing her first restaurant at age 26. That restaurant was Costa do Sol. Once she had it successfully and firmly on the map, she turned her hand to catering and events for business across the Mpumalanga region. During this time, Orange Restaurant went on the market and it was too good an opportunity to miss. Lee-Ann took over there in 2011 and has built the iconic restaurant to what it is today.

In discussion with Lee-Ann about what makes her a success, she said, “Running a restaurant is like being a mother, you have to manage chaos and you’re in charge of a bunch of different personalities. It means being a part of a family. Usually a slightly dysfunctional one, but a family nonetheless! Nothing is accomplished independently, though, and I have relied on my amazing staff to get me where I am today. They are all my ‘children’ and I try to be generous, and yet stern. In return, they call me ‘Mamma Goose’ and they are loyal to a fault. I have a very low staff turnover and my staff stick with me for years – and because of that, I have flow in the restaurant as everyone knows one another so well that we function like a well-oiled machine!

“A restaurant relies on its reputation, and aside from delicious food and exceptional service, I believe it’s the little touches that make my restaurant a success.”

Lee-Ann is one of the longest running female restaurateurs in the Lowveld, and her life lessons and growth in the industry have created a fine-dining establishment where businessmen hold their strategy meetings, politicians discuss topics of the day, couples celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and men go down on bended knee to propose to their beloved.

Orange is one of the places to be, and even through a challenging two years the doors are still open, people are still celebrating their special moments, and thankfully, they are still choosing to do so at Orange.

For bookings contact Orange Restaurant on 013 744 9507 or send them an email on orange.nelspruit@outlook.com

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