RoyalMnandi has appointed Martin Kobald as its National Corporate Executive Chef. This position will see Kobald providing advisory services as well as filling the role of the ‘face’ of RoyalMnandi for product endorsements and promotions. He will also represent RoyalMnandi at media launches and events.

“We are very excited to have Martin on board and are confident that his industry experience and reputation will do much to add value to and boost awareness of the RoyalMnandi brand,” says Geoff Williams, RoyalMnandi Operations Executive – Commercial Division.

Kobald will also assist with the training of in-house staff and clients as well as product evaluations.

Austrian-born Kobald honed and developed his food and beverage skills in Austria, working his way up from Trainee Chef to Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, and finally, head of operations of various Austrian Hotels and restaurants.

He immigrated to South Africa in 1988 and began an illustrious career with hotel giant Southern Sun. He later went on to establish an Austrian delicatessen and bought and ran the picturesque 33 High Street Restaurant & Bar. He has worked as National Executive Chef for Fedics and participated and received awards in a number of local and international competitions.

In 2002, he was elected Vice President of SACA, and in October 2003 he took over the reigns as President of the 30-year-old Association; a position he held for six years. He currently holds the title of Honorary President of the South African Chefs Association (SACA). He also serves as the Global Chairman of the Marketing and Communications Committee of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), with future plans to run for the presidium in 2012.

He also recently became the face of Salton & Salton Elite Appliances South Africa & Weber South Africa. Kobald will take on his new position at RoyalMnandi to allow for further scope and development of his own personal brand, MLK Consulting.

“We have been involved with Martin and MLK Food and Beverage Consulting for some time now, and have benefitted tremendously from working together. We know that the official appointment of Martin as National Corporate Executive Chef will allow us access to a wider range of his service offering and we look forward to an exciting and busy 2012,” concludes Williams.