Reign Welcomes Chef Justine Joseph as New Chef de Cuisine
Emperors Palace Restaurant launches new menu with new head chef
Monday, March 3, 2025
Kempton Park, South Africa – Reign at Emperors Palace is proud to announce the appointment of Chef Justine Joseph as the new Chef de Cuisine at the trendy restaurant. With an impressive culinary background and a passion for innovation, Chef Justine is set to bring a fresh perspective to Reign, unveiling an exciting new menu that reflects her diverse expertise and creative flair.
Hailing from a family of passionate cooks, Chef Justine's love for food has been ingrained in her from a young age. ‘Every family gathering was centered around food, and helped shape my passion and philosophy for food. Every celebration deserves a culinary masterpiece, that’s how you make treasured memories,’ says Chef Joseph, who was a top graduate of her culinary school. As a true versatile talent, Chef Joseph has mastered pastry, sushi, and general cuisine, earning her the reputation of a ‘culinary magician’ amongst peers.
Chef Joseph’s career has been a dynamic journey through the hospitality industry, serving as Executive Chef at Mabu Restaurant (2023-2024), Food and Beverage Development Chef at Fournews Developments (2021-2023) and Executive Chef and Consultant at Killarney Country Club in 2020. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found Just Eat, Fine Dining at Home, a venture that offers restaurant-quality meals to private homes. At each opportunity the dedicated chef has injected innovation and concept development. Her leadership experience ensures Chef Joseph brings a wealth of expertise to Reign ranging from operations and management to logistics and social media marketing.
Her new menu promises to be a reflection of her energetic and innovative approach to cuisine, incorporating bold flavors, modern techniques, and a touch of magic that has defined her career.
‘We have just launched the new menu and I am excited to share some dishes I’m truly proud of,’ says Chef Joseph. ‘If you ask what I recommend, I’d have to say the slow cooked porky belly in apple cider or the seafood Linguine with coal fired mussels, prawns and calamari.’
Guests at Reign can look forward to an unforgettable dining experience under her culinary leadership. ‘We are thrilled to welcome Chef Justine Joseph to the Reign family,’ say Peermont Food and Beverage Manager Tiaan Schultz. ‘Reign enjoys a stellar reputation and her passion for food, dedication to excellence, and innovative vision will elevate our dining offerings and bring something truly special to our guests’
For reservations or view Chef Joseph’s new menu, visit EatReign.co.za or Reign itself, located at the D’oreale Grande Hotel at Emperors Palace – 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park.
About Reign
Reign is a full-service destination eatery and offers a contemporary spin on classic dishes, complemented by a curated selection of South African wines, crafted cocktails, and bubblies. The restaurant features a fresh ambiance that fuses greens and earth tones with brass and tile, enhanced by natural motifs and textures. Guests can enjoy extraordinary views of the lush hotel gardens and the iconic fountain from the spacious terrace area. Reign is open daily from 07h30 to 00h00, serving a variety of contemporary breakfasts, light meals, and main dishes. Reservations can be made via DinePlan.
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Reviews
First, look down when you walk in: the interior walkways are paved with authentic Smart Stone Huguenot Cobbles, engineered specifically to replicate the tactile feeling of walking on real, ancient Roman highways. It is an incredible piece of immersive design that has stood the test of time since its inception.
Second, as someone sensitive to travel fatigue, the engineering here is spectacular. Despite being right next to major runways, the structural acoustics completely eliminate aviation noise. Furthermore, if you explore the convention wing, the rooms are named chronologically after Roman Emperors (Claudius, Augustus, Tiberius), featuring a highly advanced smart-lighting system that subtly shifts tone to help international travelers fight jet lag.
The multi-tiered security checks at the gates provide immense peace of mind, making it a safe, self-contained empire. From the manicured garden paths to the world-class service, it is a flawless, deeply thought-out destination. Don't just stop by for a quick game—take a moment to appreciate the sheer craftsmanship of the Palace of Dreams!
Hidden Details Most Guests Don't Know The Secret History of the Floors:
When the resort opened in September 2000, it was named Caesars Gauteng. The internal casino paths use custom Huguenot Cobble and Shepstone Pavers designed by SmartStone to precisely mimic the durability and texture of ancient Roman stone highways.
The "Imperial Court" Conference Subtext:
The major conference rooms in the South Wing are purposefully named after successive Roman emperors—Claudius, Augustus, Tiberius, Florian, and Romanus. They feature a hidden central smart-lighting grid that automatically shifts color warmth to match the biological clock of travelers suffering from jet lag.
The Multilayered Security Ring: Casual visitors often miss how tightly the security net is woven. Because of its position right next to O.R. Tambo International Airport, the property utilizes an advanced, continuous perimeter sweep and bag-screening protocol that keeps it significantly safer than standard commercial venues.
The Sound-Insulated Aviation Oasis: Despite being directly in the flight path of Africa's busiest airport, the structural glass and architectural roofing are uniquely engineered to absorb low-frequency jet engine vibrations, meaning you can sit in the gardens or sleep in the hotels in absolute peace
Where to find us
64 Jones Road, Kempton Park, South Africa
EMPERORS PALACE, THE PALACE OF DREAMS IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY 365 DAYS A YEAR