Author: Azhar Obaray

Posted on by

DRIVING CHANGE: CORE FOSTERS CONNECTIONS THROUGH SPONSORSHIP

Core Catering Supplies recently sponsored two notable Golf Days—one in Johannesburg and one in Cape Town—reflecting our dedication to supporting a hospitality industry association and raising awareness for an organisation that is close to our heart.

FEDHASA Golf Day at Dainfern Golf Club

In Johannesburg, Core proudly sponsored the FEDHASA inland Golf Day at the renowned Dainfern Golf Club, a key event on the inland hospitality industry calendar. FEDHASA, as the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa, provides essential support, resources, and advocacy for the hospitality sector. It is a cornerstone organization for many of Core’s clients and partners, helping the industry navigate challenges and opportunities.

Sponsoring this event underscores our commitment to supporting the sector’s growth. FEDHASA offers vital services like industry representation, training initiatives, and fostering a strong sense of community within the sector—critical for long-term success. For Core, this event went beyond networking; it was about contributing to FEDHASA’s broader mission of strengthening South Africa’s hospitality industry. By supporting this key association, we help empower our clients with the solutions and expertise they need to thrive in an ever-evolving market.

Enable Centre Golf Day in Cape Town

In Cape Town, Core was honoured to sponsor the Enable Centre Golf Day, supporting the centre’s essential work in providing rehabilitation services to individuals with neurological and orthopedic conditions. Located in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, the Enable Centre is a leading outpatient facility offering a wide range of physical and cognitive therapies, aiming to improve the lives of those with disabilities. The centre plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between public and private healthcare through initiatives like the Equal Access Programme, which ensures that rehabilitation services are accessible to underprivileged communities.

These two golf events exemplify how Core Catering Supplies strives to give back to the community and the industry. By supporting these initiatives, we are not only enhancing social impact, but also empowering our teams and branches to participate in events that promote both business development and meaningful relationships.

Beyond our financial sponsorship, Core remains committed to promoting accessibility within the hospitality and retail sectors. Many of our retail stores are wheelchair-accessible, and we offer online shopping options for customers who are unable to visit in person. Supporting organisations like the Enable Centre aligns with our mission of fostering inclusivity, ensuring that our spaces and services are welcoming to everyone. After all, hospitality is about welcoming all guests.

At Core, we remain committed to building a responsible and inclusive future for the hospitality sector, and these golf days are just one way we continue to support this vision.

Read more about Inclusivity in the Tourism Sector.

Posted on by

VISIT TO THE POTTERIES – STOKE-ON TRENT AND STEELITE

By Claire McGuinness – Core Catering Brand and Business Development, Southern Africa

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Stoke-on-Trent, England affectionately known as “The Potteries,” for a deeper look into the rich ceramic history of this iconic British town. For centuries, Stoke-on-Trent has been considered the ceramics capital of the world, and my visit to Steelite International, one of Core Catering’s exclusive partners, was a fantastic opportunity to explore the birthplace of some of the finest tableware used in hospitality today and to meet the people who are involved in each aspect of the Steelite business.

Stoke-on-Trent earned its reputation as a ceramics hub due to the abundance of natural resources in the area—particularly clay and coal, which fueled both the kilns and the rise of a booming pottery industry in the 18th century. The Trent and Mersey Canal, running through the town, played a key role in transporting materials and products, connecting Stoke’s ceramics to national and international markets. Today, the town’s legacy endures, with a number of leading manufacturers still producing world-renowned ceramics here.

My first stop was the Potteries Museum, where I immersed myself in the historical journey of ceramics, from local artisanal roots to global styles. Stoke’s pottery industry is famous for pioneering techniques and exquisite craftsmanship, and this was a great prelude to my visit to Steelite.

Steelite International is a standout company in Stoke’s ceramics landscape, combining tradition with innovation. Known for their alumina-strengthened vitreous tableware, they produce over half a million pieces every week, serving the global hospitality sector. Sustainability is at the heart of their operations, with Steelite employing ISO 14001-certified environmental management systems to reduce energy consumption and waste. They also utilize recyclable materials, reflecting their commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Steelite acquired Williams Edwards Ltd, who are renowned for their design and production of bespoke
chinaware for luxury hotels, restaurants, and retailers worldwide. This one brand now sits alongside multiple others and creates a comprehensive range of premium products to choose from.

Walking around Steelite’s vast facilities, I saw firsthand how they blend traditional skills with modern production methods to create durable and elegant tableware. Their sustainability initiatives extend far beyond the products themselves, encompassing everything from energy-efficient kilns to minimizing their environmental footprint.

This visit reminded me of the rich heritage behind the products we offer at Core. Through partnerships with forward-thinking companies like Steelite, we continue to bring world-class, sustainable tableware to the hospitality industry, ensuring our clients have access to both durable solutions and products that respect the environment.

Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery legacy is alive and well, and Steelite’s commitment to excellence and sustainability exemplifies the future of ceramics in both hospitality and home. My visit was a great reminder that tradition and innovation can indeed go hand in hand. We look forward to learning more from our partners at Steelite and sharing this knowledge with our clients here in Southern Africa.

Take a moment to read about the new craft range from Steelite.

Posted on by

CORE WOODSTOCK’S NEW LOOK STORE: A FRESH CHAPTER BEGINS

Our Woodstock branch has undergone an exciting transformation! As part of Core Catering Supplies’ ongoing commitment to innovation and service, we’re rolling out a fresh new look across our retail stores, and we’re thrilled to unveil the revamped Woodstock location. Following the successful launch of the Mbombela Franchise in June, our flagship Woodstock branch—home to Core Holdings Head Office—now reflects the vibrant new aesthetic that reflects our mission of helping customers “Enjoy the Difference” with premium products, tailored service, and expertise.

The launch event was a true showcase of teamwork and collaboration, with our trusted partners joining in to demonstrate some of their product range that are available at all Core stores nationwide. Tramontina brought a taste of Brazil with their Picanha Brazilian barbecue, underscoring their close ties with Core and their in-store Cape Town showroom. 

BCE impressed guests with live demos of their cutting-edge catering equipment, serving up sweet and savoury treats on-site. Wilderer and Liq-Core kept the energy high with drinks flowing and  expertly crafted cocktails, showcasing the versatility of Wilderer’s gins and other liquors crafted in their Cape winelands distillery.

But the true highlight of the event was our stunning new retail space. Designed with a lifestyle-focused approach, the Woodstock store now offers inspiration for all of our customers. 

With expert guidance from Saskia of Saskia’s Interiors, the transformation reflects Core’s energy and commitment to creating spaces that spark creativity and innovation for both our clients and their customers. Creating an environment that enables retail shopping with ease as well as product showcasing for industry buyers, space to grab a coffee and chat with one of our team of experts. 

At Core Catering, we believe that teamwork makes the dream work, and the Woodstock revamp is a perfect example. Our dedicated team and contractors have worked tirelessly to ensure the store is ready for the busy season ahead. And as we celebrate Heritage Month, Tourism Month, and the Springboks’ bid for the Rugby Championship, the timing couldn’t be better for this exciting milestone.

As we continue to grow, Core remains committed to delivering solutions that help our clients succeed. we’re excited to serve the Southern African hospitality industry with value-driven, innovative products. The only way is up!

Contact Store
Posted on by

STEELITE CROCKERY – THE CRAFT RANGE

Introduced a decade ago, the Craft range quickly became a benchmark in the global hospitality industry for Artisan-inspired designs. Crafted to create a strong emotional connection between chefs, diners, and the food, this range is a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern glazing and manufacturing techniques. The result is a visually striking collection that enhances the presentation of any dish while being exceptionally durable, even in the busiest of restaurants. Over time, the Craft range has expanded to include a variety of colours, remaining true to its core values of heritage, authenticity, handcrafting, individuality, and eclectic design—values that continue to resonate today.

We are proud to offer the new Craft range of crockery, featuring everything from coupe plates and bowls to rectangular plates, pourers, and dipper tasters. And with more stock on the way, you’ll always have access to the latest in this iconic collection.

Shop the Range
Posted on by

VALO: A TIDY AND CLEAR AESTHETIC

At Core Catering Supplies, we are proud to introduce the VALO buffetware collection from APS Germany, a brand synonymous with innovation, quality, and style in the catering industry.

The VALO range is more than just buffetware—it is a statement. Designed to combine functionality with aesthetics, this collection is ideal for those wanting to give their buffet a simple, yet bold presentation. The VALO collection features a variety of items, each granting the ability to customise your buffet as you see fit, ensuring that your buffet setup is both practical, visually stunning and most importantly, unique.

Wooden Displays

The wooden components of this range are made up of solid European oak, hand-treated with protective oils for moisture, making them suitable for displaying food.

Explore

GN Shelving

The shelves in this range are based on the GN standard, allowing for customizable displays that can be easily combined to create a unique buffet setup. The sleek, modern design of these products ensures that they will complement any décor, enhancing the overall dining experience for your guests.

Explore

Innovative Displays

With the various attachable components, such as label holders, pedestals, corner connections and sneeze guards, the VALO range has the ability to constantly adapt and create unique experiences for your guests. The stackable trays, bowls and stands allow for efficient use of space, while the stylish stands add height and dimension to your presentation.

Explore
Shop the Brand
Posted on by

SUSTAINABLE CATERING SUPPLIES

In today’s world, where sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, we at Core Catering Supplies are proud to partner with Leerdam Crisal Glass, a leader in sustainable glass manufacturing. As a dedicated distributor of Leerdam Crisal Glass products, we are excited to share the innovative and environmentally conscious efforts of our esteemed supplier.

Leerdam Crisal Glass has released it’s first “Sustainability Update”, highlighting their efforts in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). LCGlass aligns their efforts with the three SDG’s (United Nations Sustainability Goals), by incorporating the following sustainable practices into their manufacturing process:

8. DECENT WORK &
ECONOMIC GROWTH

LCGlass Leerdam is redefining the production area by introducing robotization on specific
processes to improve ergonomics and the team’s well-being.

9. INDUSTRY, INNOVATION &
INFRASTRUCTURE

LCGlass takes responsibility for the entire supply chain by sending a refreshed Sustainability
Questionnaire to the suppliers and defining mutual interests for improvement.

12. RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION

LCGlass Leerdam increased maintenance to focus on the water supply system and,
as a result, has decreased municipal water use by 59% in its production processes.

Sustainability Update: The new OXYHYBRID FURNACE

Leerdam Crisal Glassware has started a project to ensure timely compliance with the EU CSRD guidelines. Sustainability reporting will be in place over the 2025 business report. Aiming to reduce energy consumption at LCGlass by installing a more efficient kiln in the mold maintenance area.

Leerdam Crisal Glassware plans on starting the new Oxyhybrid Furnace at the end of the year, a flexible concept incorporating electric power, natural gas, and potential hydrogen applications. Additionally, this new furnace will use a new form of technology, which not only allows the addition of green energy through the consumption of hydrogen and pure oxygen but also significantly reduces the use of fossil fuels, such as natural gas. Consequently, this innovation will greatly contribute to their sustainability efforts and further advance their commitment to environmental responsibility.

Leerdam Crisal Glass leads the way towards a greener future with their sustainable practices, and we’re excited to offer their eco-friendly products to our customers, making a positive environmental impact together.