News just in that chef Vusi Ndlovu will be opening a restaurant this year in the Western Cape town of Franschhoek! The restaurant, called EDGE, will seek to disrupt the current dining landscape with a focus on underutilised ingredients, progressive techniques and recipes passed down over generations. The restaurant will be run in partnership with Absie Pantshwa, Mandlakazi Pantshwa and associates.

Vusi has worked in many top kitchens in South Africa and abroad, as well as gathering international recognition when he ranked among the top seven young chefs in the world at the San Pellegrino Young Chef finale in 2018. EDGE aims to showcase Africa, in all her glory, while harbouring an inclusive, comfortable and welcoming space. From the food to the wine, to the art on the walls and the apparel design on the staff, EDGE will serve as a canvas for local heroes.

The dishes on the menu will pay homage to Vusi’s past experience and curiosity, as well as the rich history of the continent, and so expect to find a snapshot of Africa on a plate. Joining these hero ingredients will be other stalwart producers, such as Frankie Fenner Meat

Merchants, Franschhoek Fish Market and TRUTH Coffee Roasting, with wines being curated by Publik Wine. With a focus on cooking over flames, the menu will invoke a strong sense of community and tradition, reminiscent of African storytelling around the fire.

Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, EDGE will be an all-day, any-time spot. The team will also open their doors to fellow chefs, producers and restaurant owners as part of a monthly industry night, which seeks to bring the food community together for an evening of shared food, wine and ideas. The last Sunday of the month will become the day to play as Easy Sunday sessions will include live jazz music in the garden.

EDGE will open in summer 2021. For now, keep up to date with further announcements by following EDGE Restaurant on Instagram.

Images: Alix-Rose Cowie

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