For The Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference Centre's newly appointed Executive Chef, Andrew Hammond, food is more than just taste it is an art, a combination of individual, edible and visual characters collaborating on a plate. This international award-winning chef and accomplished food stylist, hopes to introduce patrons to cuisine ‘you can eat with your eyes.’

“Using fresh and healthy ingredients we want to create food that is alive with colour, bursting with flavours and delectable to taste incorporating the subtle flavours and pungent spices of Morocco & the Mediterranean,” says Andrew, who has created and photographed amazing food for magazines such as Oprah’s O Magazine. He was chairman of the South African Chefs Association (SACA) Western Cape Committee and has several accolades under his belt.

“The menus at each of our food destinations at the Royal Elephant offers an array of Afro-centric fusion cuisine, food served in comfortable and stylish surrounds, that echo’s the Marrakesh, with the ambience to create the perfect eating experience,” says Andrew. “Presentation can make or break a meal, design is as important as taste and flavour.

"Using his varied experience and skill, Andrew Hammond’s aim is to ensure The Royal Elephant becomes famed for its delicious and stylish gourmet and the food destination in Pretoria. His passion for the visual aspect of food saw him establishing Hammond Photography, a food styling and photography studio where he exercises his passion of bringing the two disciplines together.

“Come eat with your eyes and experience a delightful journey of epicurean delights.”