Gordon Ramsay To Open Maze At One&Only Cape Town

Sol Kerzner

One&Only Cape Town will welcome Gordon Ramsay’s maze restaurant at the April 2009 launch of the resort located on the Victoria & Alfred waterfront.As the first urban property in the One&Only collection, One&Only Cape Town will also host legendary chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and the country’s largest and most innovative collection of wine in a tri-level loft.

“Maze is perfectly suited for South Africa and it is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with Sol Kerzner and the One&Only brand,” says Gordon Ramsay. “With Jason Atherton, my executive chef, overseeing the standards, I fully expect this will quickly become another one of our successful and sought-after restaurants.”

Inspired by its British namesake, maze at One&Only Cape Town will seat up to 170 guests and provide tasting-sized dishes evoking the bountiful flavours of traditional South African recipes. The restaurant will showcase local seafood and game as well as fresh produce from organic South African farms.

Designed by Adam D. Tihany, guests of maze will enjoy open views of the restaurant’s kitchen featuring South Africa’s only ‘American’ imported broiler, which exposes steaks to a temperature of 650ºC, a signature trait of the maze style cuisine.The maze space will be framed by a three-story glass wine wall boasting more than 6,000 bottles of both acclaimed and undiscovered South African vintages. Interior décor will consist of intricately textured brown chocolate wood and furniture upholstered in forest greens and burgundy earth tones. An African-inspired carpet will decorate the floor while copper and cream draperies complement sweeping views of Table Mountain.

Executive Chef Jason Atherton, who currently presides over the Michelin-starred maze in London, will develop the full menu concept and oversee the standards of service. In 2006, Jason was awarded a Michelin star for maze of London after only seven months of opening and was the first British chef to complete a stage at Spain’s famous El Bulli restaurant.

“Both Gordon and Nobu share my passion for creating and delivering extraordinary customer experiences,” says Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International. “One&Only Cape Town marks a special homecoming for me in South Africa. With Gordon, Jason and Nobu lending their talents to this project, I’m confident that this resort will become the ultimate gourmet retreat in South Africa.”

One&Only Cape Town features 131 rooms with views of Table Mountain and the marina. In the heart of the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, the resort embodies chic island design and an African flair. One&Only Cape Town will also feature an exclusive Spa Island – a haven of serenity which will offer the most expansive and comprehensive spa in Cape Town. - Hotels Magazine