Executive chef Christiaan Campbell keeps his sure hand over the kitchen at Delaire Graff Estate Restaurant, one of the 20 nominees for the 2013 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards. The South African-born chef has worked in big-league kitchens locally and internationally, but at Delaire focuses on local and ethically produced ingredients, and free-range and pasture-reared livestock. The bistro-chic dishes on the Delaire Graaff menu are inspired by the fresh produce Christiaan cherishes.

Awards judge Andy Fenner described Christiaan’s dishes as beautiful, but hearty too. “The chef places more emphasis on ingredients than most, and goes to considerable trouble to get the best produce – a lot of it grown on the farm.”

We caught up with Christiaan to find out where he tucks in on his days off.

My favourite place for…

A pizza
Café Blanc de Noir on Brenaissance Wine Estate serves the best margherita in Town.

Cafe Blanc de Noir

Asian food
No question, Indochine on Delaire Graff Estate.

Burgers
&Union, but only as long as they’re from Farmer Angus at Pasture Reared Foods.

Sushi
I like to keep it local at Genki.

A great view
Delaire Graff Estate Restaurant. It might seem biased, but it’s true.

The Delaire Graff Estate Restaurant deck

Take-away coffee before work
Schoon De Companje.

A week-day breakfast
The Blue Crane and the Butterfly, Stellenbosch.

A lazy Saturday morning brunch
I’m a creature of habit, but again I go to Schoon De Companje for great ciders, great eggs and bacon, fantastic pastries and a fantasy setting.

A business lunch
Equus Dine on Cavalli Estate.

Equus Dine at Cavalli Estate

Sunday lunch with the family
At home on the farm, outside surrounded by my whole family: my wife, children, dogs, cat and chickens.

A romantic dinner
Rust en Vrede, without a doubt.

A blow-the-budget celebratory dinner
The Restaurant at Waterkloof.

An end-of-the-month weekday dinner
I’d rather save the money and add it to the entertainment budget for later. Would rather go somewhere where I know the chef has a passion for ethical produce. Cheap food is cheap for a reason!

The Restaurant at Waterkloof

Buying flowers
Okasie in Stellenbosch.

Buying bread
The Bakery at Jordan and De Oude Bank Bakkerij.

Buying wine
Wild Peacock Food Emporium in Stellenbosch.

Ordering birthday cake
Melissa’s Stellenbosch.

Market-style shopping
The Stellenbosch Organic Farmers’ Market for fruit and vegetables, plus a quick coffee under the white Stinkwood tree.