Chef John Shuttleworth, head chef at Rust en Vrede (no. 3 in our Top 10 restaurants for 2013), started cooking at an early age, but his career in the culinary industry took off with an internship at the Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vermont. After working in various well-established kitchens in England and Scotland, he relocated to South Africa. John then joined the Rust en Vrede team in 2009 as sous chef under David Higgs (our current Chef of the Year), who was head chef at the time. In 2011 John took over the position, and he continues to lift the food at Rust en Vrede to new heights.

But where do the country’s top chefs like to eat when they’re out of the kitchen? John gave us his recommendations for pizza, a lazy Sunday lunch and freshly baked bread.

My favourite place for… 

A pizza
There’s a great new pizzeria in Somerset West that’s not very well-known yet, called Giuseppe’s. They make the best take-away pizzas I’ve had since visiting Italy last year! But for a sit-down meal, I’d undoubtedly say Burrata in Woodstock.

Asian food
Kitima in Hout Bay does great Asian food.  Their Sunday buffets are a must.

Burgers
I’m afraid I’ve not had a burger in a restaurant lately, but I loved my Wagyu burger at Root 44 Market the other day.

Wakame

Sushi
I love Wakame.

A lazy Saturday morning brunch
Hmmm, I work every Saturday, so that never happens… But if I didn’t, I would say Schoon de Companje.

A business lunch
Guardian Peak Winery & Grill for its great views and relaxed service. They have good food with generous portions.

Camphors at Vergelegen

Sunday lunch with the family
Camphors at Vergelegen. I love walking in the gardens after lunch.

A romantic dinner
Other than Rust en Vrede, I would have to go for The Greenhouse.

The Restaurant at Waterkloof

A blow-the-budget celebratory dinner
The Test Kitchen. I love the vibe and the Asian-influenced food.

A great view
We have many venues with great views in our area. Overture at Hidden Valley and the Restaurant at Waterkloof are two I’ve been to recently. We have a pretty good view at Rust en Vrede too!

De Oude Bank Bakkerij

Buying bread
We make our all of our own bread at the restaurant so I eat that most of the time. For bread at the weekends, we get from De Oude Bank Bakkerij in Stellenbosch.

Ordering birthday cake
I would go to Dorp Street Deli in Stellenbosch.

Market-style shopping
Root 44 Market and The Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill.

An end-of-the-month weekday dinner
Well, I work every night from Tuesday to Saturday, so that leaves Mondays when many places are closed… Therefore I just cook something nice at home or grab a pizza.