The Big Easy Winebar & Grill Durban Official Opening

18 Jan

Ernie Els mingled with friends, sporting legends, media, and movers and shakers from the world of business, to celebrate the official opening of the new Big Easy Winebar & Grill at Hilton Durban on 13 January.

Ernie, who had jetted in from Johannesburg where he was preparing to compete in that week’s Joburg Open, spoke of his pride at the opening of a third Big Easy Winebar & Grill. The first opened in Stellenbosch in 2008 followed by another at The Els Cub Dubai in 2013. In addition, two more Big Easy Winebar & Grill outlets will be opening later this year, in Miami and in Malaysia, with further such collaborations with Hilton Hotels anticipated in the near future.

The Big Easy Winebar & Grill at Hilton Durban has in fact been open for business since October last year, but this was the first time Ernie himself had had the opportunity to pay a visit. Among the sporting stars sharing the spotlight with him at the official opening were friends from the world of sport including former South African test cricketers Pat Symcox and Errol Stewart, and Springbok rugby stars John Smit, Andre Joubert, Butch James, Stefan Terblanche and Tonderai Chavanga. Pictured above from left to right (back row): Gary Gold, Andre Joubert, Pat Symcox, Ernie Els, Butch James and Don Gammon; (and seated on floor) Stefan Terblanche, Tonderai Chavanga, John Smit and Errol Stewart. 

“It’s a thrill to partner with Hilton Hotels here in Durban,” commented Ernie, “and I thank them for their vision and their support in this project. We think this is a really wonderful fit for our brand. Durban is a great sporting city and I have many wonderful memories of my visits over the years, including winning the SA Open down the road here at Durban Country Club. For this Big Easy Winebar & Grill we took inspiration from our first restaurant in Stellenbosch and have created what we think is a fun and comfortable place to spend time and enjoy great food and wine. Another of our aims is for Durban residents to feel like this restaurant is theirs – in a way, a part of their city that they can be proud of – and from the great comments I’ve heard this evening it seems like we’ve achieved that.”

Ernie then went on to say, “South Africa has some of the best cuisine in the world and our head chef Janine Fourie and her team are already doing a fantastic job serving great food using the freshest and best ingredients, and at the same time supporting local purveyors and farmers of organic and sustainable produce. ‘Farm to table’ as they say in some countries. Anyway, we have that same philosophy at Ernie Els Wines; it’s about respecting the environment and focusing on quality in every little detail, which is what Louis Strydom (pictured below), our head winemaker does, and the results are spectacular. Our sommelier here at The Big Easy Winebar & Grill, Eric Botha, can assist in that department, too, with the full range of wines from the Ernie Els Wines portfolio on the menu alongside selected other quality wines from South Africa. Diners are in safe hands with Eric!”

Big Easy Durban opening EE with Louis Strydom

All in all, this has been an exciting start to 2016 for this blossoming global restaurant brand, with The Big Easy Winebar & Grill located in The Els Club Dubai’s beautiful mediterranean-inspired clubhouse being voted the ‘Best Food & Beverage Outlet’ at the recent Middle East Golf Awards.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chris Brown, General Manager at The Els Club Dubai, commented, “The Big Easy Winebar & Grill has become a fantastic place to go for a meal with family and friends; it is relaxed and embodies everything that The Els Club is – high quality and family friendly. It offers a sublime mixture of South African, Malaysian and European style dishes in an environment that everyone can enjoy. It has quickly become a reputed Dubai dining hot-spot!”

Photos courtesy of Jethro Snyders. Follow on Twitter @jet1102

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