Michelin star chef and Eat Out judge for 2022, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, has announced his latest restaurant offering. This time, in the Cape Winelands.

Image: Andrew Dunkin

La Motte Wine Estate will be home to JAN Franschhoek, and in true Jan Hendrik style, the experience will take place in a 19th-century cottage called Veepos.

Jan says, “I remember always seeing this little house in the middle of the Franschhoek Valley lavender fields at La Motte and wondering why it was not a super exclusive little eatery. Years later and JAN Franschhoek will be opening its doors to the culinary curious.”

The eatery will offer a rare glimpse into life as it was in this valley in the early 19th century, with thick stone walls that meet the ceiling and original blue gum ceiling beams. The menu will be crafted from 100% local ingredients and inspired by regional cuisine, combining traditional and modern techniques in dishes inspired by the JAN Library’s collection of cookbooks, one of the largest in South Africa!

La Motte CEO, Hein Koegelenberg says, “we’ve been fans of Jan Hendrik’s dinner table storytelling since enjoying his Michelin-star experience in Nice and we are honoured and excited to host him and his team in the Franschhoek Valley.”

The team at JAN Franschhoek will include a culinary collective led by JAN Group Executive Chef Antro Davel and Head Chef Anzette Klynhans operating under Jan Hendrik as Culinary Director.

Jan Hendrik regards this new restaurant adventure as a tribute to his early years in the Winelands, when he was honing his skills and discovering the beauty of the area. “My years in the Winelands formed such a big part of my culinary and design training that I have always wanted to come back for more. I guess it’s like drinking a good wine. Once you’ve had a taste, you want to keep on savouring it.”

JAN Franschhoek will be open for dinner bookings on select dates from 1 December 2022 until 31 May 2023.