By Daniëlle Gerber
The hospitality industry is lucrative in Stellenbosch. Recent influxes of new shops and restaurants have displayed the start of a new era in business. One such example can be that of the Influencer Evening hosted on Friday, 18 March at Scheckter’s Raw (Raw) Stellenbosch. Collaborating with influencers is no new feat for this brand, yet an event like this is a first in their tracks. Are influencers the future of The Stellenbosch conducted an interview with Kyra Trytsman (25), Raw’s manager, to get a scope of the evening.
An idea brought forward by new manager, Kyra Trytsman, established itself as a memorable night with the likes of Miss SA 2021, top-5 contestant Bianca Bezuidenhout and Cimoné Petersen (nearly 20K following on Instagram) – among four other successful Stellenbosch influencers. Inspiration formed after Trytsman observed the hold that young influencers have in Stellenbosch.
Trytsman has worked in the hospitality since 2013, with experience ranging from service, chef training, and managerial roles. This wide scope of interest and experience brings a new perspective into her managerial style, as she understands all departments that go into making a restaurant successful. Trytsman is not just bringing business knowledge as often found in manager positions. The Raw brand pioneers change towards being ‘Powered by Nature’ (their slogan) and radical change, it seems, is present across the business structure.
The event offered guests a range of different meal offerings, ranging from the Pesto Gnocchi, RAW Burger Sliders, Gusto Quinoa, and Falafel Salad as canapé bites as a complimentary platter. In collaboration with Reyneke Wines, complimentary wine was offered. To complete the meal, Raw served their famous gluten-free and refined sugar-free chocolate bars. At the end of the evening, the six influencers were invited to become brand ambassadors.
Understanding the dynamincs:
Brand ambassadors receive a special card which, when shown, allow a 50% discount to be deducted from any sit-down meals served. This is also in exchange of a monthly grid-post on the ambassador’s Instagram page, as well as a tagged story post when they are at Raw. All posts mentioning Raw should include an ad disclosure. To ensure authenticity, Raw only collaborates with ambassadors who align with the health and wellness ethos.
Knowledge and passion within the service industry is nothing without connecting with people and ‘getting bums in chairs’, as Trytsman says. Is this relatively new way of marketing, especially in the restaurant context, another way in which Raw will become a pioneer?
