Chef David Loate has officially joined Tsogo Sun as the newly appointed Complex Executive Chef at The Ridge Casino.
With 13 years of experience under his apron, he has a genuine love of cooking which was nurtured from an early age by his uncle, a former chef.
Chef David said food is the most important part of his life, “I love having the freedom to be creative every day and learning from everyone around me.
He explained that his job entails managing and controlling the overall operation of the kitchen, ensuring the quality of the food served, making sure the budget is met, hiring staff, handling customer relations and creating menus that meet The Ridge’s exceptionally high standards and of course cooking delicious food.
He said he motivates his team by leading through example, providing on-the-job-training and offering opportunities for advancement.
“For me, the most rewarding part of my job is the tangible joy that comes with creating the perfect plate. A well-conceived dish is one that marries complementary flavours and takes full advantage of the unique textures of individual ingredients, blending them to create something that satisfies and memorialises my craft.”
Some of Chef David’s favourite meals served at The Ridge Casino include the oxtail braised in red wine, herb sauce served with mashed potato served at The Cuban Coffee Company and the famous buffet offered at Billy G Restaurant.
His advice to aspiring young chefs is to put in the hard yards.
“Hard work is incredibly gratifying. Human hands were designed for it, the brain was designed to push a person’s intellect and recall, and the legs and feet were meant to feel sore, that good sore that indicates much was accomplished in a day.”
Chef David would love to cook for Gordon Ramsay and Siba Mtongana one day.
Perhaps he will serve them his favourite creation – sous vide salmon served with horseradish cream and watercress puree for starters; cider-roasted pork belly with mash potato and root vegetable for mains and Belgian truffle cake served with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert.
In addition to being king of the kitchen, he is the father of two little boys and enjoys unwinding by travelling, listening to music, watching TV, playing pool and exercising at the gym.
