Entrepreneur Nicky van der Walt launches restaurant and wine during pandemic
Entrepreneur and restaurant owner Nicky van der Walt encourages restaurants to take the lead on COVID-19 vaccinations to help get the economy back on its feet.
In May, high-energy, casual fine dining and tantalising world-class restaurant, TANG, opened.
TANG is an Asian luxury restaurant and bar, set in one of Johannesburg's most iconic addresses overlooking Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.
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TANG offers a luxurious take on the Japanese Izakaya style of dining and classic Cantonese-style cooking, transporting guests on a culinary journey complemented by a lavish Asian tropical setting.
Although lockdown restrictions on sit down restaurants were lifted, TANG and Nicky van der Walt believe that having vaccinated staff members will contribute to herd immunity, minimising the spread of the virus, and will rebuild the struggling economy.
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“Although we do continue to face tremendous pressure on our business and on the livelihood of our staff, we do believe that as a responsible corporate citizen we need to make every effort we can to help reduce the rise in infections. As a corporate citizen, we do also believe that we can play a proactive role in further helping to reduce infections - and thereby help salvage our economy, “ says Nicky van der Walt.
“The pace of vaccinations needs to increase - and, as a small business, we recognise the role we can play in encouraging our team members and our community to prioritise vaccination. That is why we have established an education program to emphasise the importance and safety of the vaccine amongst all TANG staff. In addition, as an incentive, we are offering all team members who are fully vaccinated a bonus of R500, as part of our mission to achieve 100% vaccination at TANG,” adds van der Walt.
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Van der Walt believes that this initiative will help the food industry get back to business during these difficult times and that it will encourage and challenge other restaurants across South Africa to do the same.
Van der Walt also launched the new wine that represents the first step on his journey towards owning his own private label.
The new wine, Mirabelle Rosé, is an ode to the superb rosé wines made in the south of France, which capture the freshness of the rising sun and the promise of a new day.
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Mirabelle Rosé is lovingly crafted from old vine Cinsault and Mourvèdre grown in the Swartland. Comprising 75% Cinsault from two different vineyard blocks and 25% Mourvèdre from a single vineyard block, it features notes of cherry, strawberry, and candyfloss, a subtle rose petal perfume, and a lemon twist finish.
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He says that developing his own wine was one of the most creative things he has ever done, and he chose the name ‘Mirabelle’ in celebration of this. The word means 'wonderous' in French and incorporates the word ‘belle,’ which means beautiful. And, as Belle is also the name of his youngest daughter, this has special meaning for him.
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Image Credit: Jacaranda FM