Q – What is your background?

Like most men my age, in the eighties I went to the army, but I also got my degree in Business from Wits University.  Mostly I learnt a lot from my father who had a transport company.  We had a small refrigerated truck and landed a contract to transport fresh fish from Gansbaai to Johannesburg.  That is where it all began really!

Q – You have various hospitality businesses, how did this all start?

Seeing a great opportunity in the fresh fish market I took the plunge and opened a wholesale fish depot in Johannesburg with a retail deli section.  This was so popular that I wanted to bring the concept to other parts of the city which is when I opened the second retail Fisherman’s deli store in Village walk.  It proved to be a huge success with loads of demand.  I was supplying to restaurants all around and saw the gap to launch a specialist shop myself.  This is when the Codfather fish shop was born in Morningside.

We progressed to opening a sushi bar and a grill section in the fish shop, and that is why the Codfather still has a section where fish is sold on weight.

From the fish shop I opened a few restaurants and sushi bars in Johannesburg and Cape Town, all based on fish and seafood and I also made sure that I purchased the properties, as I have always believed that the only truly successful people in food were McDonalds and this is because they bought the properties from where to sell their hamburgers.

Q – Big acquisition in Riboville at Waterfall, what attracted you to the property?

Waterfall, and especially the equestrian centre is ideally situated, in a very fast-growing area, for future commercial and residential growth.  We just love it that the equestrian centre has an “out of the city” relaxed countryside feel, whilst actually being situated only minutes from the Sandton CBD.

The equestrian setting, the unique design of the building and the ability to expand and upgrade attracted me.   The possibilities are endless with huge potential to develop the site to better host functions, conferences, events and launches etc.  An upmarket, 5-star country hotel only 15km from Sandton…. … It was too exciting an opportunity for me to overlook!

Q – What is new on the horizon for you?

We have 2 other restaurants in the Sandton area, namely the Codfather at Sandton Skye and a brand-new restaurant and accommodation, Bowl’d, at Masingita which is opening in October.  Both offer restaurants and accommodation, and the Masingita establishment will also bring a fresh new offering in the form of specialist conference facilities, office pods and a huge garden setting.

We will have the ability to offer a unique guest experience where, for example, guests could have dinner at Codfather, followed by drinks at Bowl’d, then move on to a club followed by an overnight stay in the 5-star hotel Riboville in the nearby country side.  After a great night out and a good night’s rest guests could then enjoy a scrumptious breakfast followed by Yoga on the grass or a relaxing spa treatment.  We intend to offer many varied tailored packages, all with transportation in our own shuttles accompanied by our own people included.

We have plans to expand our properties and offerings to include a game farm and a seaside resort, enabling us to be able to offer guests, local or international, a complete package deal in our own properties

Q – What keeps George going?

I have a desire to build a large property portfolio, so I love opening more hospitality outlets. The designing, concept, and roll out really excites me. Trying to stay relevant and hopefully evolve so that we are never left behind excites me too. Hospitality can be very demanding, but there is a special feeling that is very satisfying seeing people enjoying themselves in one of your restaurants or outlets.   In addition, I have met some very interesting people and made may very good friends from the years in the restaurant/ hospitality business, there is a richness in that, that I love, and… I am also just by the by, collecting a few properties along the way!

Q – What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who want to go into the hospitality industry?

I have made many good decisions, but also have had many failures. I have gone from riches to rags and vice versa, Hollywood to bust a few times, but I have never been afraid of taking a chance. Many bankers have even called me a cowboy, but in my life more than half of the crazy risks have paid off and I would advise any young aspiring man or woman to take the chances, to not be afraid to take that leap of faith, and as long as more than half work out, the rewards are there.  Most importantly, I believe is one must get up again and again when something fails. Enjoy what you do, passion and hard work always wins.