Cape Town-born Lindsay Venn, former Executive Chef now turned Food and Beverage Manager at Tsogo Sun’s Southern Sun The Cullinan hotel has been asked to take charge of the kitchen for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka in the upcoming Tour de France.
“I am humbled and very honored to be asked to cook for Team Dimension Data, particularly as they compete in one of the most prestigious and challenging cycling races in the world,” says Venn.
Having represented Tsogo Sun in various food shows all over the world, Venn also has extensive experience in cooking for professional sportsmen of all disciplines. He has cooked for the likes of The Springboks, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs but says that this experience will be a highlight for him.
“I used to watch the Tour de France as a kid, and now I get to play a part in contributing towards the team. It’s a phenomenal opportunity and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get cooking.”
Venn will be travelling with the team for the duration of the Tour de France and will be taking care of all their culinary needs. He believes that providing correctly balanced nutrition is the key ingredient for fueling the team every day, and will be working closely with the team’s nutritionist and doctor. Always trying new dishes and experimenting with flavour combinations, Venn plans to create unique dishes for the riders whilst still maintaining the nutritional value needed to sustain them throughout the race.
Putting on his chef’s jacket, taking a crash course in French and representing Tsogo Sun on the international front once again, Venn is set to take on this next challenge in his already established career.
“We are very proud of Lindsay’s selection. Tsogo Sun has always recognised the tremendous value and appreciation of sport, and we have long embraced the opportunity to be an integral part of it. We wish both Lindsay and Team Dimension Data every success for the 2016 Tour de France,” comments John van Rooyen, Tsogo Sun’s Operations Director for the Cape Region.
About Tsogo Sun
Tsogo Sun is the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.
The company’s hospitality interests offer a wide distribution of hotels in Africa, providing world-class accommodation across all markets, including elegant, individually branded luxury hotels and well-known trusted market leaders in the premier through budget segments, including Southern Sun Hotels, Garden Court, SunSquare, StayEasy and SUN1 hotels.
The exciting urban and resort casino portfolio includes the most popular entertainment destinations, strategically located throughout South Africa. In the Gauteng province, Tsogo Sun owns the group’s flagship property, Montecasino in Fourways, which features, amongst other attractions, the award-winning Teatro; Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park in Southern Johannesburg; and Silverstar Casino to the West in Krugersdorp. Additional properties are owned and operated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including the jewel on Durban’s Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment.
Tsogo Sun Citizenship is the group’s corporate citizenship strategy which encompasses three areas of focus. This includes Corporate Social Investment, whereby the group promotes the development of learners through three academies which offer holistic, full-year programmes centered around sport, art and education; Entrepreneur Development which focuses on skills-based entrepreneurial development through its Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse and Supplier Development programmes; and Environmental Education, committed to initiatives that reduce the impact the business has on the environment.
Tsogo Sun (“TSH”) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The key shareholders of Tsogo Sun are Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (“HCI”), a JSE listed investment holding company.
Tsogo Sun Gaming supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Winners know when to stop. Only persons over the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling counselling toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008.
For more information go to tsogosun.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like us on Facebook /TsogoSun
For hi res images please contact Tatum Lowe
