Meet the
Marble Hospitality Team
Gary Kyriacou
Founder | Partner
Gary Kyriacou is no stranger to the restaurant industry or business start-ups. Over his 20-year career, the astute businessman and South African entrepreneur has owned several retail properties, Spar Supermarkets and was involved in the hospitality program for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
He is currently a shareholder in the South African division of the world’s largest real estate company, Century 21.
Gary’s career started in the family business – opening and operating of several Spar Supermarkets in the role of Director of Retail and Commercial Development.
Following his successes in the family business, Gary moved on to other ventures, which included co-owning a printing company that produced large format prints for the hospitality industry; and he was one of the founders of the coffee establishment, Lulu.
It was during this time that Gary developed an understanding of local trends and needs of the South African market. This provided the perfect platform for Gary to secure a contract with MATCH Hospitality, who were the official rights holders of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Hospitality Programme.
Gary and his team managed the entire hospitality implementation at 10 stadiums through three different programs during the World Cup. Gary is passionate about the food industry, both locally and abroad. His travels around the world inspired him to want to bring something amazing to the South African food scene.
Together with David Higgs, he opened Marble in August 2016, Saint in August 2018 and Zioux 2021.
David Higgs
Founder | Partner | Chef | Author | TV Personality
With an almost 20-year cooking career, David is passionate about local cooking, especially when it is on an open flame. His career started in 1990 in Cape Town, and since then has seen him run his cooking school, The Higgs School of Good Cooking, and start his own catering company, Extreem Kwizeen. He has also, on a number of occasions, cooked for former President Nelson Mandela. In 2007, together with Jean Engelbrecht, he established a fine-dining restaurant in the old cellar on the historical wine estate, Rust en Vrede, outside Stellenbosch. After four years, and countless awards, David made the move to Johannesburg to join the Radisson Blu Gautrain and later the Saxon Hotel where he established the award-winning fine-dining restaurant, Five Hundred. In 2016, he opened Marble alongside his business partner Gary Kyriacou. Here, David gets to display his love of more than just meat, but rather all types of ingredients cooked on coals – including fish, poultry, vegetables and breads. Marble is now the leading live-fire restaurant experience in Joburg. In 2018, the team opened their second restaurant, Saint which has quickly become the go-to pizza and Champagne destination for Sandton’s trendy, up-and-coming business crowd. David was also a judge on the hit local reality show My Kitchen Rules SA on M-Net, alongside well-known musician J’Something, for two highly acclaimed seasons. David’s latest venture with the team is their third restaurant, Zioux which has taken dining to an experimental level like none-other.
Dino Constantinou
Director of Operations | Partner
Dino is a renowned innovator within the hospitality and event field.
Over his 10-year career, Dino has been particularly known for creating captivating experiential venues with a distinct atmosphere, infusing high energy and luxury.
Being co-owner and partner of One Productions - one of South Africa’s leading events coordination companies - led Dino to move across to The Marble Group back in 2016.
Irene Kyriacou
Interior Stylist | Designer | Founder & Owner Oniroco
Irene Kyriacou, is an interior designer and the owner of Oniroco. Her sense of style has been honed by years of travel and experience.
Irene’s eclectic style is a blend of diverse cultures reminiscent of her travels around the world.
Irene started her journey as Creative Director for the group in 2016 when Marble restaurant first materialized.
Since then, Irene’s vision for the group has grown alongside the team to develop mesmerizing spaces such as Saint (2018) and her latest project Zioux (2021).