Gerrie Du Rand

Dr Gerrie du Rand is an associate professor in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, which she joined in 1999. She now holds a post-retirement position and also assists with research mentorship at the Cape Town Hotel School.

She is internationally recognised as an academic researcher and expert in the field of Food and Hospitality related consumer behaviour. Her specialty area of interest is Food Tourism and the use of Local foods in culinary mapping. Her current involvement with postgraduate students focuses on consumer food practices and behaviour, culinary practices, innovative culinary product and recipe development and food tourism.

She has lived in various countries, Japan, Greece, Italy and USA and still travels locally and internationally to discover the culinary treasures of global and local cuisines. Recipe development is an activity that keeps her up to date with the latest culinary trends and provides the opportunity to share her knowledge and expertise of more than 20 years with others in this field. Developing a culinary identity framework for South Africa is a project that she is presently involved with.

Gerrie now lives in the Helderberg, close to the beautiful city of Cape Town, in the Western Cape that is regarded as the culinary hub in South Africa. She is also affiliated with World Food Travel Association as the academy director.

With her international experience and wide knowledge within hospitality and culinary sector she is an extraordinary source of professionalism to the international and especially the African market as a Culinary Heritage Inspector!