Into our third month we go !

It took a round trip of twenty years for Derek to get to do what he had planned to do when he left teaching. Having gathered experience in the fields of teacher, salesman, tour guide, guest house manager and the creator and facilitator of a self-modelled children’ s 'awareness' program called Junior Dynamics – The Awareness Program, and more than enough time in the corporate sector, Derek decided at 44 that it was now or never.
Having been inspired by ‘The Artist's Way’ and ‘Building a Business the Buddhist Way’, and armed with little money, a large circle of the most supportive, believing friends and enormous amounts of passion, Derek bought a greasy shop of horrors in Linden, Johannesburg and found himself to be the proud owner of a mess. That was Linden and that was five years ago. What became Satori Restaurant and Pizzeria grew from strength to strength and with the most focussed staff, and attention to the ideal, Satori, in its second year became a neighbourhood favourite and came tie first place in 2004 in the Best Neighbourhood Restaurant category in the Annual Leisure Options Best of Johannesburg 2004 Readers Choice Awards.
It didn’t end there. The little ‘ Italianesque ’ eatery became more and more popular and went on to win Best Neighbourhood Restaurant in the 2005 and 2006 Readers Choice Awards. (Read more of the whole inspiring story www.satorirestaurant.co.za ) In the early part of 2007 Lloyd Newton purchased Satori Linden and Derek was able to fulfil a dream he has had all his adult life and that was to live and work across the road from splashing waves, whales, dolphins and penguins.
On the 1st of August 2007 Cafe Matisse was purchased and work began on bringing about what had become the Satori ‘idea’ and ideal to Kalk Bay. The ‘Matisse’ staff remained on and they, Paul, Jessica, Gaspard, Mandla, John, Joe, James and Derek set about doing some gruelling 27/7 work towards opening Satori Restaurant, Kalk Bay by the 24th which Derek insisted would be opening night. Peta always with camera in tow recorded the ensemble sanding, scrapping, painting. Degreasing and dressing, whilst she with left sleeve rolled up scraped and painted herself.
Onlookers weren’t to sure of what to make of this rowdy band of new arrivals and existing staff, with music pumping into the road, but most felt it safe enough to accept the invitation to the opening which was attended by around 70 people. They’ve been going two months now and on the whole it would be safe to say booking is essential from Wednesday to Saturday.