Chef at Top 10 restaurant Overture, Bertus Basson, has revealed to Eat Out that he will be taking over the restaurant at the Spice Route tasting room in Suider Agter Paarl with business partner and former Roots chef, Allistaire Lawrence. The restaurant – which will be called Bertus Basson at Spice Route – is scheduled to open at the end of January 2015. The food will be South African focused, and more country-style than fine dining.
“It will be more family-oriented than Overture. We’ll do some great things for the kids.” The menu will, however, be small, made with seasonal produce. The restaurant will also undergo a revamp prior to opening. Bertus’s wife, Mareli Basson, is currently busy working on the design.
“There’s a lot going on at Spice Route – with the chocolate and the beer brewing – so we’re very excited.”
Business will continue as usual at Overture; and Bertus will divide his time equally between all of his ventures.
Watch this space for developments.
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4 December 2014: this article was edited to correct an error that suggested Allistaire Lawrence would take over the reigns at Overture. He will in fact take over the kitchen at Spice Route in partnership with Bertus.