Author Archives: Goldfish Communications

Royal Palm Hotel welcomes Executive Chef Alfons Rathje!

Chef-Alfons1

“Discipline, more discipline, persistency and tenacity; these are my words to live by,” says Alfons Rathje, the new Executive Chef at The Royal Palm Hotel.

Along with its change to independency, The Royal Palm Hotel recently welcomed Rathje to the kitchen at Thyme@Royal Palm restaurant at the end of last year.

Rathje hails from Northern Germany, and completed his apprenticeship in Munich in 1980. He brings with him a multitude of experience with culinary inspiration from Germany, Switzerland, Uganda, Limpopo and South Africa as a whole- having worked in restaurants within Cape Town, Gauteng and KZN.

With over 35 years’ experience under his belt, this seasoned Chef has worked at Michaeligarten (Germany) Apprenticeship as Chef (1981-1984), Franziskaner (Germany) Chef De Partie (1984-1985), Wachauer Heuriger (Germany) Chef Tournant (1985-1988), Bahnhof Buffet Bern (Switzerland) Chef De Partie (1988- 1990), Residence Stadbach-West (Switzerland) Chef / Diet Chef (1991-1995), Captain’s Cabin Restaurant (Cape Town) Executive Chef (1996- 1997), Café Palazzo (Cape Town) Executive Chef (February – May 1997), The Portswood Hotel (Cape Town) Senior Sous Chef (1997-1998), The Cape Town Ritz Hotel (Cape Town) Senior Sous Chef (1998-2000), Sun City Resort – Cabanas Hotel (Gauteng), Sous Chef (2000-2005); Executive Sous Chef (2005-2006), Sun City Resort – Sun City Hotel (Gauteng) Executive Sous Chef (2006-2007) ; Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort (Kampala/Uganda) Assistant Executive Chef/Executive Chef (October 2007 to 29 February 2008); Mondazur Resort Hotel/ San Lameer (KZN) Executive Chef (June 2008- January 2009); Orion Devonshire Hotel (Gauteng) Executive Chef (May 2009 to 11 October 2009); Wartburger Hof  Hotel (KZN) Executive Chef/F&B Manager/ Duty Manager/Acting GM (12 October 2009 to 29 April 2017); as well as Legend Golf and Safari Resort/Entabeni  (Limpopo) Resort Executive Sous Chef  (03 May 2017 to 10 September 2017), before taking up his position as Executive Chef at Royal Palm  Hotel.

For him, throughout his experience he has had many challenging and rewarding aspects to his career. His most challenging to date has been opening two hotels in Kampala/Uganda for CHOGM 2007 (conference for 54 Head of States of Commonwealth).

When he is not in the kitchen, Rathje spends time with his family and when asked what his advice is for those starting out in the culinary industry, he says, “If you don’t have it in your heart, don’t do it!”

Convenient Conferencing with Royal Palm Hotel!

Located in the heart of the Umhlanga New Town Centre is the stunning Royal Palm Hotel, ready to bring your next conference to life! Whether big or small, they’ve got it all!

Convenient conferencing has never been easier, with set packages designed to give you the best options at an affordable price. Book a full day conference from only R440 per delegate, including use of their venue from 8am to 5pm, tea, coffee and pastries on arrival, bottled water, notepads, pens, white board or flip chart, a data projector, PA system with a roving mic, mid-morning and afternoon tea and biscuits, a plated or buffet lunch (depending on your number of delegates) and complimentary Wifi. If you have more than 20 delegates, the venue hire of R3 500 will be waivered and better yet, regardless of how many delegates, complimentary parking included.

If a half-day conference is what you’re looking for, take advantage of the half day rate, from only R400 per delegate, including the very same package. Venue hire of R2 000 will apply for less than 20 delegates, or will be waivered if you bring more of your team.

With an array of accommodation options available, bringing together your teams from various provinces has never been easier, and team building options can be arranged for you.

Whether big or small, they’ve got it all, so contact their team today, and get your creative juices flowing.