We are very excited about having a new set of skilled hands in our pastry kitchen. Well, new is a relative term, Gerard has already been part of the Tanda Tula team for over 6 months, where did the time go, we must wonder!
This young, talented chef was born and bred in Pretoria and fell in love with cooking when he was a little boy, spending hours in the kitchen with his mum. By her side, he slowly started learning the ropes and a real love for food, particularly pastry was instilled.
His mother is famous amongst their family and friends for her vegetable soup and every time she makes it everyone in the neighborhood comes around for a bowl. One would presume then that Gerard’s last dish on earth would have to be said soup, but in fact, if pushed to make this decision his answer was adamantly a carrot cake!
Gerard studied at CTIA (Chefs Training Innovation Academy) for a year and a half, specializing in pastry. He loves this section of the kitchen pastry because it is so precise, he enjoys measuring and how much pastry allows him to experiment and play.
When asked why a moved from the big city to Tanda Tula and the Greater Kruger region he explained that he has always loved the bush and wanted a quieter life while still doing what he loves.
Gerard is young and very talented in the kitchen, but he also knows that the world out there is waiting to be explored. His dream one day is to explore Europe and then New Zealand. He is particularly keen to go to France to experience and see all the architecture and history, but especially those pastries! And would also like to go to New Zealand simply for its natural beauty, also to watch their rugby He is a big All Blacks fan) and possibly to get a tattoo.
It is very exciting for us to have a dedicated person in the pastry department and although Chef Ryan still gets involved occasionally he is fully behind Gerard and cheering him on as he creates the most incredible breads, cakes, and desserts!
Rates are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) and include VAT. Rates are reviewed quarterly and are subject to change.
PROVISIONAL:
Bookings can be held as provisional for up to 14 days, after which the booking is required to release or confirm. A 20% refundable deposit is required to confirm the booking.
CONFIRMED:
Once confirmed with a 20% deposit, the booking is held on a status of ‘confirmed with refundable deposit’ until any of the following becomes true:
Final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival. Any outstanding balance on the total reservation value shall be required to be settled at 60 days prior to arrival.
All refundable deposits, commitment fees and full payments are held in a separate call account and do not become part of the operational cash flow until the guest has stayed.
The amount stated on the invoice is what must be received by Tanda Tula nett of bank charges.
CANCELLED
Cancellations must be received and acknowledged by Tanda Tula in writing.
‘Confirmed with refundable deposit’: bookings carry no cancellation fees up to 61 days prior to arrival.
‘Confirmed with commitment’ or ‘Confirmed with full-payment’: in the event of any reservation being cancelled after Tanda Tula has issued a confirmation, for any reason other than a WHO-recognised pandemic that impacts the booking, the following cancellation fees will apply:
All cancelled bookings that qualify for a refund, will be refunded less a handling fee valued at 5% of the refund amount.
PANDEMIC DISCLAIMER
Tanda Tula will allow postponement of a booking for up to 12 months, if travel is cancelled with a commitment fee or 60 days or less prior to arrival due to a WHO-recognised pandemic directly impacting the guests’ ability to travel (e.g. lockdown, no flights, guest not allowed to board a flight, guest falls ill due to a pandemic and unable to travel).
In the event of a WHO-recognised pandemic directly impacting the ability of Tanda Tula to meet its obligations with respect to the booking, all monies received, including the commitment fee, will be fully refunded (e.g. lockdown in RSA, government restrictions on trade).
Any refund is given at the discretion of Tanda Tula management and will be charge a handling fee valued at 5% of the refund amount.
All travellers are advised to take out fully comprehensive travel insurance with ‘cancellation for no reason’. This insurance must be able to fully cover cancellation of travel fewer than 60 days prior to arrival.
The Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice.
