Serving as more than a diet, Mediterranean cuisine is a vibrant celebration of life, flavour, and community. It is rooted in simplicity and generosity, a way of eating that nourishes both the body and soul. At Olives and Plates, this philosophy is plated daily in Johannesburg, where timeless recipes, hospitality, and catering meets modern style and service. We caught up with Litza Frangos, Co-Founder of Olives and Plates, as the dining brand is named in the Hospitality Awards 2025.
The story of Olives & Plates began more than 25 years ago, founded by Mediterranean sisters Andria Neophytou and Litza Frangos. Olives & Plates has certainly grown over the decades, injecting the same level of love and care into everything it does. As time has passed, technology has made exposure to global cuisines and impeccable standards much more easily accessible and expected, especially by clients possessing a more discerning palate.
Aiming to stay ahead of expectations, Olives & Plates has diversified its offerings to accommodate for a range of cultural and dietary preferences without ever compromising on taste or presentation – extending its skills far beyond its core Mediterranean offering whilst remaining true to the essence of Olives & Plates.
Today, Olives & Plates stands as a thriving group, ran by Andria, her husband Dimitri, Litza, and her husband Apo. It boasts a dynamic composition of restaurants, eateries, and cafes, as well as its award-winning catering division providing top-tier catering services to any function, event, wedding, or conference. Across the group’s establishments, its teams work tirelessly to maintain the same standards of quality and service that envelops guests into the Olives & Plates family.
The group works with a wide assortment of people – ranging from top executives and management, professors, doctors, higher LMS groups, corporates, and individuals, to families, students, and anyone who can appreciate healthy, wholesome, and delicious food.
Litza shared: “We aim to stay head of international and local expectations whilst ensuring every dish is crafted with superior quality, flavour and wholesomeness. We have diversified our offering, accommodating specific cultural or dietary preferences – vegan, halal, kosher etc. – without compromising on taste or presentation, hence extending our skills way beyond our core Mediterranean offering.”
Its outstanding catering services can be tailored to both professional and personal occasions, from massive events to smaller celebrations, with no limit to the diversity to which Olives & Plates can accommodate.
“Our catering team goes out of their way to prioritise the client’s needs and personal taste experience through customised menu creation, which is delivered as a feast for the eyes with the finesse of an artist and equally exceptional taste,” Litza told us. “As a family, we are constantly innovating new layers to the flavours of our roots to ensure that our guests savour an unforgettable dining experience. We are mindful of local and international food trends within the quality, healthy, and wholesome meals we create, maintaining our professionalism, presentation, and service while surpassing the standards to which we pride ourselves.”
From the moment you begin to experience Olives & Plates catering services for any event, or function – big or small – you are presented with a complete sensory sensation said to fuel the soul. These unforgettable experiences are delivered by a team of motivated employees, each driven by the same passion for hospitality and culinary excellence that propelled Andria and Litza to success.
There are more than 600 staff members within the Olives & Plates group, some of whom have been with the group for more than two decades. Many employees began with no experience and have since grown to serve as executive chefs, simply because they have demonstrated the unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence that the group strives to uphold – the same calibre that has earned the Client Satisfaction Excellence Award 2025.
From buffet and harvest tables to artisan boxes, mezze to formal dining, canapés to desserts, and high tea and portable dining, Olives & Plates’ committed catering team promise an otherworldly experience. Covering every detail, so you can relax and enjoy your event, Olives & Plates’ catering services always provides fresh and high quality food with professional staff members making the occasion extra special.
These catering services can be experienced at any venue, whether Olives & Plates’ or your own. This ensures that each person looking to book the best catering service available is perfectly met with the fine service they’re searching for. Olives & Plates’ team is happy to travel to its clients’ location to serve a varying number of people at any event. Litza enthused: “To work in service of others is either at your core or it is not, and if it is not then the customer will feel it. You can train as much as you want, but if this is not authentically engrained within a person, then it is not going to work.”
This approach has enabled Olives & Plates to shine within a crowded market, gaining recognition for the standards of quality and unique experiences it provides. Olives & Plates looks to 2026 and beyond with eyes brimming with ambition and dedication. Named Johannesburg’s Best Catering Company 2025, Olives & Plates continues to earn praise from guests and critics alike – its reputation built not only on excellence, but on the unforgettable experience its teams deliver time and time again.
Contact Details
Contact: Andria Neophytou and Litza Frangos
Company: Olives & Plates
Web Address: www.olivesandplates.co.za
