Emnotweni Casino welcomes highly-experienced hotelier Roger Lutchmiah as Food and Beverage Manager to its team.

Lutchmiah is no stranger to the casino and gaming operation– and high profile ones at that. He has been in the position as Food & Beverage manager for stars such as Elton John; Rod Stewart; Laura Branigan; Tina Turner; Joe Cocker; Wet Wet Wet, The Spice girls, Brian Adams and Movie stars such as Jackie Chan , Lou Gosset Jnr, Joan Collin, Lorenzo Lamas, Wesley Snipes and Bill Cosby.

He has also personally planned, catered and overseen top-level events including no less than 12, Million Dollar Golf Challenges; 12 Miss South Africa pageants; six Miss World pageants; one Miss Universe pageant; the Sony Awards for Michael Jackson; a glittering celebrity luncheon function for Tina Turner; a formal luncheon co-hosted by Her Majesty The Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth 2ndand 1st Lady Zanele Mbeki, and the birthday parties for King Goodwill Zwelethini and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

During his career he spent 33 years in the catering and hospitality industry and was senior assistant director of food and beverage at the Palace of the Lost City. Now, he brings this wealth of experience, hospitality skills and a passion for perfection to Emnotweni Casino. He will work with newly-appointed executive chef Wendy Dunn at the Emnotweni Arena and the casino’s newly-refurbished Explorers Restaurant. Together, they are already rejuvenating the menus and refining service levels.

“We want to ensure that Emnotweni and Explorers becomes known and renowned for great choice, great quality, great food and great experiences. As a premium entertainment destination in one of South Africa’s most dynamic emerging cities, we must make sure that our food and our service not only meets, but exceeds the standards found in the country’s top restaurants, hotels and venues.

“There are exciting times ahead for us,” says Mauritian-born and French-educated Lutchmiah, who has lived in South Africa since 1982 and went travelling abroad to West Africa and Europe for 2 year and back in 1988. He and his wife and two children now call Nelspruit their home.

Emnotweni Casino’s general manager, Ig Olivier says Lutchmiah is an asset to the team.

“We are obviously thrilled to have Roger on board. He brings with him a fresh approach and a fresh attitude that fits well with the casino’s food and beverage ambitions. He couples this with the skills and experience that are necessary to make it happen. We look forward working with Roger well into the future.”