South Africa has a rich culinary history, and its chefs have become increasingly renowned for their skill and creativity. In recent years, the country has seen a number of Michelin star chefs emerge, including Reuben Riffel, Marthinus Ferreira, and Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen.
Reuben Riffel is one of South Africa’s most renowned chefs. He is best known for his acclaimed restaurant, Reuben’s at The One & Only Cape Town, which received its first Michelin star in 2018.
His restaurant features dishes such as slow-roasted springbok with smoked butter sauce and oxtail risotto with truffle oil. His cooking style focuses on combining traditional African flavours with modern techniques to create unique dishes that are both innovative and delicious.
Marthinus Ferreira is the chef behind one of South Africa’s most popular restaurants, The Test Kitchen in Cape Town. Ferreira has been awarded two Michelin stars for his innovative cooking style which blends modern ingredients with local produce to create dishes that are both creative and flavourful. Dishes like butternut squash gnocchi with pine nuts and sour cream or miso-marinated linefish with pickled vegetables are just some of the inventive creations he has come up with over the years.
Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen is another top South African chef who has been awarded a Michelin star. His restaurant JAN in Nice is renowned for its seasonal menus that feature fresh ingredients from the surrounding area. Dishes like smoked eel mousse or sea trout tartare served with capers and mustard sauce showcase his skillful combination of local flavours and techniques.
Conclusion:
South Africa is home to a number of talented chefs who have achieved international recognition by receiving prestigious Michelin stars. These chefs are pushing boundaries by combining traditional African flavours with modern techniques to create unique dishes that are both delicious and exciting.