The Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa has appointed Sven Niederbremer executive chef. Sven joined this five-star Orient-Express Hotel from Bremen in Germany. Sven's menus focus on regional ingredients and fresh local produce with a "back to basics" approach, creating simple fare, inspired by quality.

Sven's youthfulness and relaxed approach to cuisine belie an impressive track record and a passion for creating, designing and cooking simply elegant food which "explodes in the mouth".

"I have a natural food style," he explains. "Having drawn my inspiration from the best food all over the world, including crossover or fusion, I focus on attaining the right taste and working with unspoiled, natural flavors offset with a delicate presentation. My menus offer sophisticated diners a balanced and staged progression of dishes and tastes, which compliment rather than crowd each other out."

Before joining his South African fiancee in Johannesburg, Sven's most recent position was that of "Gourmet Consultant" for the Marriot Hotel in Bremen, where he supervised a restaurant for 120, a gourmet restaurant for 100, and banqueting facilities for 2,500 guests.

Sven's training with some of the best European chefs (including Bernard Stumpf) from the young of age of 15 in Northern Germany, prepared Sven for his tenure with the Miami Beach Ocean Resort in Miami, where he held the distinction as the youngest executive chef ever named by Leading Hotels of the World.

During this time Sven was invited to participate in a Gourmet Tour to Spain in January 2000, where he spent two weeks working at four Michelin Star Restaurants, including Reads, Es Mole den Bou, El Olivo and Chopin. While in Mallorca he worked alongside Eckhart Witsigman, who was named among the "Chefs of the Century."

The introduction to Spanish cuisine left an indelible impression on the young German as he believes the Spanish embrace the kitchen of the future, interacting beautifully with their food. "Spanish cuisine, he said, tends to be healthy, creative and naturally advanced in a futuristic sense."

Built on a lush hillside in the style of a Mediterranean village with spectacular views over the city's Zoological Gardens and forested northern suburbs, the Westcliff exudes an air of refinement and splendour. Cascading down through pristine sculpted gardens in a series of picturesque villas surrounded by lush greenery, sparkling fountains and charming cobbled pathways dot the landscape. Guests are transported by club cars to the upper levels, adding to the charm and romance of this romantic escape. There is simply no finer city resort in the capitol of South Africa than the Westcliff as recent guest Charlize Theron will attest.

For information or reservations, please call The Leading Hotels of the World at (800) 223-6800 or visit www.orient-express.com.

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Media Contact: Patricia Harper +1 212-302-5055 patricia.harper@orient-express.com