Reuben Riffel.
Reuben Riffel is opening at the One and Only in Cape Town.
With the the termination of Gordon Ramsay’s Maze at 6:30am on Friday morning, stage two of the plan now swings into action.
Enter seriously talented and much admired Chef Reuben Riffel, who will take over the 170 seater space at the One and Only.
This will be his third restaurant venture under his name. First Franschhoek, secondly at The Robertson Small Hotel in Robertson and now his biggest challenge yet; to succeed where Gordon Ramsay’s Maze failed dismally.
The hallmark of Reuben’s cooking is fantastic punchy flavours jumping off the plate. He is known for using fresh seasonal local produce with textured food and exciting plating. His chilli squid is legendary.
This might not be as big a jump for Reuben as some might think as he has spent the last year working, planning and managing a team at The Robertson Small Hotel which must be present and ready to work with the hotel cycle of breakfast lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
A hotel source confirmed that talks have been going on with Reuben for some time now.
When contacted Etienne DeVilliers, Head of Public Relations at the One and Only commented, “This is breaking news…….”.
Franschhoek is abuzz with the news, and locals are justly proud and delighted that Reuben, who has made such an impact there, is going to the One and Only to work his magic.
They are convinced he will make it a success where the international brand of Gordon’s Ramsay’s Maze stumbled, tripped and eventually fell.
I am convinced too, and I wish him well and the best of luck.
He will have quite a job on his hands to coax Capetonians back to this cavernous venue.
But if anyone can do it, Reuben Riffel can.
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I do hope that Chef Riffel will excel and strike gold at TWAO !
After my experience of The Other Chef “R”, he can only do better !
Good luck Reuben, I’m saving my pennies and hope to enjoy your cuisine in the not too distant future.
C.
PS : Next time I’ll stay out of the kitchen
OMG is that the Charles, from Durban? The same one who dangled his camera nonchalantly as he strolled through the kitchen while Gordon Ramsay attempted to get some food together for the great unwashed at the big charity dinner fiasco?? The same Charles who had a hand in upsetting the sensitive Gordon, resulting in the biggest celebrity chef walkout in South African History? The same one who flew down from Durban in a rented Tuzedo and spent R1,500 only to sit on a barstool while enjoying the best that Cape Town hospitality had to offer? Well if it is, I hope your next visit to the One and Only is a far more peaceful, food centered one.
And I mean that. From the bottom of my foodistas heart.
Claire,
I am a new follower of your blog, but Ruben is not moving/opening at the one an only.
Keep posting your nice features.
Frans
Hi Clare, you appear to be steadfastly clinging to the Reubens/One & Only story – despite his denials. What is your source of information, and will you retract your story? You seem to have egg on your face now.
Brilliant, and a loveley piece Clare..
Chef Reuben has made a big impact in my life and feature..I wish him all the luck and I know this will be a BIG success.
He’s really a chef to look up to and such a great teacher for young culinary students.
All the best
Hi JP,
What Egg?
Whose face?
[...] Reuben go back a bit (first to announce that he would be opening at the One and Only on August 1st http://www.spill.co.za/chefs-chat/reuben-riffel-for-the-one-and-only-cape-town/2520/ In fact the One and Only and me have a history of firsts, as I was the first to announce that [...]
After all the speculation I believe it is true. Good stuff! Certainly puts him at the top of the food chain. You don’t have to be all ra ra to be the best. Congrats Reuben!
Reuben is the best! 2 weeks ago I took a few people to dine at his restaurant in Franschhoek and the food was outstanding, worldclass. The service was impeccagle. Well done Reuben. You are indeed a great chef!
Besides the fact that he himself is, well, HOT? Sorry Mrs Riffel. Will keep hands off, you lucky lady you. And then the man knows how to sort a plate of cuisine……………….
Hallo Ruben – did read you story in Die Huisgenoot – you
go on weekends buying antiques. I have a few – let me know and
I email you some photos.
Thanx
Hi, Reuben is a good chef in the kitchen,i’ work with him when i was a student @ ICA and i have learn a lot from him. keep it up chef, you are a indeed a great chef, top class chef with decent food, chef on holiday we are there at one and only in Cape town from Namibia….