On behalf of the President, the Board of Directors and all the members of the South African Chefs Association, it is with great regret we announce that Chef Daniel Chapat passed away on Saturday the 14^th of January after a long period of illness. Well-known in the industry, 73 year old Daniel was a member of the Academy of Chefs and received the South African Chefs Association President’s Award in 2008 for his many years of dedication and service to the hospitality industry.

 

After starting his apprenticeship in Never, France in 1952, Daniel moved to South Africa to become the youngest ever Head Chef of the prestigious Langham Hotel in 1966. He remained Head Chef until 1970 when he left to pioneer the first ready-made meals that were frozen with nitrogen gas. After opening the Eskom Catering Division at Mega Watt Park in 1978, he became the Catering Manager at the Pretoria Country Club. Daniel and his wife Colleen then bought an old Cape Dutch-styled house which they renovated and turned into the award-winning Simply Chapat. Operating as a traditional French restaurant, Simply Chapat’s awards included Best New Restaurant, Most Prestigious Restaurant and was in the Top 10 American Express Awards for two years. This led to Daniel receiving an award for Best Chef of the Year in 1996. 

 

Manfred Muellers, Honourary President of the South African Chefs Association, has said that “The culinary world has lost yet another great colleague and friend, who will be dearly missed but not forgotten.” Daniel’s close friend Chef Kevin Garratt remarked on his Facebook page that he will really miss Daniel, having known him for the past 46 years – a friendship that began with Kevin working in Daniel’s brigade as a young trainee. “Daniel, thank you for being there for so many of us who needed your guidance and a small part of your expertise.”

 

His funeral will be held at the Roman Catholic Church, 64 Luipaard Street, in Krugersdorp on Friday the 20th January at 11:30. All chefs are requested to wear full chefs whites and regalia where applicable. Daniel’s burial will take place at the West Park Cemetery at 14h00 followed by drinks at the home of Philippe & Benita Chapat  at 242 Wilson Street, Fairlands. The family would like to invite Daniels friends and colleagues to attend any, all or part of the day they feel they wish to or need to.