The Grand Exotic Experience with Rory Hunt

For all the local foodies on the North Coast, Rory Hunt is a familiar face; he has been front-lining the local culinary scene since 2003 when he opened his Restaurant at the Lifestyle Centre in Ballito called Zucchini.

After Rory graduated Wits Hotel School he spent nearly ten years developing his hospitality gift, working for some of London's top hotel restaurants. He is a well-loved figure in our part of the world and has a following of faithful customers who have been shadowing him and his success.

Rory who is a proud family man, and besides starting a very successful restaurant in Sage Centre in Salt Rock, Rory also enjoyed immense success with his Estate run restaurants, like the Valley of the Pools in Zimbali where he spent five years.

What a thrill to see Rory running The Grand Exotic and introducing that same old charm that his "Foodie Groupies" are so accustomed to. He shook up the original menu, introducing some exotic flavours and some familiar recipes. He has embraced the fun loving staff and is flying the local culinary flag high for North Coast once again.

The Grand Exotic is a fabulous structure in the heart of Sheffield. It is brainchild of a talented couple Curt Wolff and Sarah Owen. Curt who is a landscape artist and has engineering background together with Sarah's artistic and visionary attributes were able to bring about a true marvel which is styled more in the St. Paul Cathedral look than the Taj Mahal's, and it represents a lifetime of collecting and buying artifacts from around the world.

''The design for the Grand Exotic took around five and a half years to come together," Curt told The Bugle, ''We came out with the design over many glasses of wine and many whiskeys and it took a while to get our plans approved but it was well worth it when we look at the result today."

Sarah and Curt are hands on running The Grand Exotic, while Rory applies all his charm into the running of The Grand Café, which not surprisingly brings out plate after plate of beautifully presented and exquisitely tasting dishes.

While the eggs Benedict are a favourite for breakfast, Rory's clients cant get enough of the Thai Sesame Chicken Stack; an aubergine and parmesan fritter topped with smashed avocado, roasted red peppers, zucchini and Thai sesame grilled chicken, is drizzled with soya reduction and a red pepper coulis and served with toasted ciabatta. Rory assures me that everything is made from scratch and is locally sourced, which of course is important to many locals.

"It is great to see my customers coming to visit me here" Rory told The Bugle, ''This is such a beautiful part of the world and working with Curt and Sarah is a great experience."

The Grand Exotic represents everything that is magical in the world and people are talking about it far and wide. True vintage and not contrived or copied. It is filled with treasures and collectibles from years of Sarah's shopping expeditions.

The dining terrace is situated in a garden styled veranda with a murmuring water feature. Tiny finches and honeysuckles frolic effortlessly in the water while the sent from the lush gardens wafts through the interior. You have to be there to appreciate the spectacle. They serve delicious breakfasts, scrumptious lunches, decadent cakes with excellent coffees, all served with a smile and Rory's strict quality control and attention to detail.

The Grand Exotic is a true adults' retreat, so regrettably due to the gardens being strictly ornamental and the vintage decor, The Grand Exotic has an age restriction of no patrons under 14 years old. Dogs however are allowed.

The Grand Exotic is a perfect place for celebrations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, bridal showers, kitchen teas and soon Rory is launching 'Dinner and Show' so watch this space and their social media platforms for more information.

See you at the Grand! For more information email thegrandexoticinfo@gmail.com or call 076 4356 090 or visit their website www .thegrandexotic.com.