Current Chef-owner, Overture; The Deck; Spek & Bone; De Vrije Burger and Eike.
Born 12 April, Bellville
Training No formal training, raised by the industry
Work history Michelin-starred Chez Bruce (Wandsworth) under Bruce Poole; opened Arabella Hermanus as a sous chef; competed in Bocuse d’Or, The Culinary Olympics and Global Chefs Challenge; opened Overture restaurant at Hidden Valley; opened Bertus Basson at Spice Route (2015), Spek & Bone (2016), The Deck (2017), De Vrije Burger (2017) and Eike (2018).
Inspiration “Simply being South African; people; ingredients; memories.”
Restaurants Overture; Spek & Bone; The Deck; De Vrije Burger; Eike
Restaurants he rates in 2020
Best casual eatery Bao Down
Best fine-dining restaurant The Test Kitchen; FYN
Best wine farm restaurant The Restaurant at Newton Johnson
Best restaurant for specialty cuisine South China Dim Sum Bar
Best new restaurant The Kraal at Joostenberg
Best restaurant that’s stood the test of time Rust en Vrede
Best overall restaurant experience The Test Kitchen
Restaurants he rated in 2019
For a casual meal The Green Goose Eatery
For a special occasion Jardine Restaurant
For a guilty pleasure De Vrije Burger; The Kitchen in Woodstock
For a Winelands experience The Werf at Boschendal
For authentic cuisine Decameron in Stellenbosch; A Tavola
Best new restaurant Eike
Best “oldie but goodie” The Kitchen in Woodstock
The best restaurant overall Rust en Vrede
Restaurants he rated in 2018
For a casual meal Spek & Bone
For a special occasion Jardine Restaurant
For a quick bite De Vrije Burger
For a Winelands experience The Vine Bistro at Glenelly Estate
For authentic cuisine South China Dim Sum Bar; Genki Sushi Bar & Japanese Tapas
The best restaurant overall Rust en Vrede
Restaurants he rated in 2017
Chefs Warehouse & Canteen on Bree Street; South China Dim Sum Bar; Ash Restaurant [closed and relaunched as Riverine Rabbit in 2018]; Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room