Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa has partnered with renowned chef and restaurateur Luke Dale Roberts to further elevate the culinary offering at the 5-star lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve. The exciting new multi-course menus, wine pairings, curated cocktails, and a high level of culinary service are set to raise the bar for safari cuisine in South Africa.
Luke Dale Roberts and his expert executive team are overhauling Mhondoro’s food and beverage experience in totality, phasing in an exclusive, all-new dining experience that is available to Mhondoro’s resident guests only. Training of Mhondoro’s current in-house food and beverage staff, mentored by Luke Dale Roberts’ and his team, will further develop their skills and expertise to ensure top-tier service and culinary innovation on an ongoing basis.
Dale Roberts’ innovative wine-pairing menus have already been introduced at dinner. Boma dinners are being reimagined too, transforming the quintessential safari experience of dining around a campfire, into an unforgettable encounter with the African night skies, showcasing local tradition, culture, and cuisine. The next step for Dale Roberts and his team will be creating a delicious new Harvest Table lunch concept, followed later by new breakfast menus, the preparation and presentation of game drive snacks, and exciting sundowner drinks and cocktails.
Commenting on the new culinary offerings, Fritz Breytenbach, the CEO of Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa says: ‘Our cuisine sets us apart, celebrating local and seasonal produce sourced from our organic vegetable gardens cultivated on the Mhondoro Eco-Farm. This is where arriving guests now check in at Mhondoro’s new Reception & Welcome Lounge and enjoy their first taste of the exciting gourmet adventure that awaits at the lodge.’
Conveniently situated adjacent to the main gate of Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg region, Mhondoro’s organic Eco-farm also produces free-range eggs and farmed sheep and cattle. Guests may tour the farm and pick fresh ingredients before they are transported through the reserve in open-game viewing vehicles to the lodge.
Myrian Vogel, the owner of Mhondoro says it has always been a dream of the Vogel family to collaborate with a top chef in the heart of the bush. ‘Seeing this dream come true with someone of the caliber of Luke Dale Roberts is incredibly fulfilling, and we are very proud to bring our guests an outstanding new dining experience at Mhondoro.’
Luke Dale Roberts expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, ‘I am exceptionally excited to partner with Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa. Their commitment to excellence and upskilling of staff, in addition to the sustainable development of farmland and an impressive organic vegetable garden, is truly inspiring. We look forward to working with the team and drawing from the abundance of this garden to create menus that reflect the best of local and seasonal produce of this region.’
Luke Dale Roberts is celebrated for his innovative approach to cuisine and has garnered numerous awards and international recognition throughout his illustrious career. Since opening The Test Kitchen in Cape Town in 2010, Roberts has continued to push culinary boundaries.
His restaurants, including The Pot Luck Club in Cape Town/JHB, The Shortmarket Club, and the newly opened SALON have received acclaim for their exceptional dining experiences. Born in the UK, Roberts trained in Switzerland and England before honing his skills in Asia. Since relocating to Cape Town in 2006, he has been a prominent figure in the global culinary scene. He is known for his creativity, dedication to flavour, and ability to push the envelope in fine dining.
Dinner with Luke Dale Roberts x Mhondoro
Bookings are open for a special wine pairing dinner at Mhondoro, prepared and hosted by Luke Dale Roberts himself. The rate includes dinner and an overnight stay of luxury accommodation, all meals and house drinks, and two guided game drives.
This exclusive, 24-hour gastronomic experience in the bush is available starting from R10 450 per person sharing per night (depending on the room category).
For bookings: +27 87 150 2314 | [email protected]
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Images: Supplied
