The luxury petrol station in South Africa’s richest city

Relish Delux is a high-end petrol station forecourt that serves gourmet food and curated products you won’t find in your typical convenience store.

Located in Johannesburg, the premium outlet is the brainchild of Muhammed Patel, who developed an interest in cooking from a young age.

Patel learnt to cook in his family kitchen, and now work’s as the executive cheft at Relish.

“Cooking has always been more than just food for me – it’s been my escape, my passion, and my purpose,” Patel explained in a recent social media post.

“As a kid, the kitchen was my safe space, a place where I could just be me.”

While school failed to be of much interest to him, Patel loved to experiment in the kitchen and created his first dish when he was 10 years old – his first attempt to make homemade vanilla ice cream.

“I have some of my best memories cooking alongside my mom, and in my family, every celebration was centred around food,” he said.

“That’s what drew me in – the way a meal can nurture, bring people together, and create lasting memories.”

This passion inspired him to become a chef. At 17, Patel started working in a small pop-up takeaway, gaining experience that would later help him to pursue a professional career.

A few years on, Patel was working under some of South Africa’s most famous chefs, where he rose through the ranks and eventually took ran his own operation.

“The long hours, the sweat, the relentless pursuit of perfection – it’s all worth it when a guest walks in, experiences the food, and leaves with something unforgettable,” he said.

After working as a professional chef for seven years, he finally had the idea to create a new dining experience.

Patel noted that there weren’t many options in the halaal food space, and that there weren’t many stores that offered restaurant-quality food at affordable prices.

This is what inspired him to open a forecourt at a petrol station – creating something that was both convenient and much fancier than what you’d see at most filling stops.

Relish Delux

Patel opened the doors to Relish Delux in April 2025, a halaal, 24/7 luxury convenience store paired to an Astron Energy fuel stop on Jan Smuts Avenue in Joburg.

The list of available items goes well beyond the usual soft drinks and shelves of chips, as it has a wood-fired pizza oven and a hot food counter that serves everything from burgers to coffees and pastries.

Petrol station staples still apply, but Relish also has unique products from imported flower arrangements to handcrafted local goods and restaurant-quality ready-to-go meals.

It also has a deli section with meats and cheeses, and a section for other goods ranging from Lego and board games to beauty products and party decorations.

The design of the store itself was also meticulously crafted to convey a warm, earthy, yet modern theme.

Green, copper, and orange are the outlet’s primary colours, which were partly chosen to complement the Astron Energy station the store is attached to.

Unlike most city-based petrol stations, Relish also has plenty of seating, which is meant to promote the site as a hangout spot.

“At Relish, I’m building something different. A world-class halaal dining experience – one that hasn’t been done at this level before,” Patel said.

“I know firsthand how tough it is to be a Muslim chef in an industry with limited halaal opportunities.”

“That’s why I’m not just creating a restaurant; I’m building a space to grow the next generation of chefs.”

Patel said that he has tasted and tested every dish on the business’s menu because of how important the selection is to him on a personal level.

“It’s inspired by the flavours that shaped me – bold Indian influences, rich flavours, and dishes that are both simple and unforgettable,” he said.

“More than anything, it’s about sharing – good food, great experiences, and a place where every guest feels at home.”

Work starts early in the morning, often involving meetings with curated suppliers that can provide the goods needed for Relish’s menu.

While the location has only been in operation for a few months, it has become one of the most popular petrol stations in Gauteng.

Patel said that he has even more plans for the site in Rosebank, and that the franchise could expand to multiple outlets over the coming years.

Relish Delux