Local South African restaurant, Klein Jan, has scooped up a most prestigious award at the Paris La Liste Gala event in Paris, France. The quaint eatery won the World Hidden Gem award securing the restaurant as a top, must-see location for both South African nationals and international travellers.
The genius behind the Klein Jan restaurant is proudly South African Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen. Jan announced the exciting news on social media by saying ‘so proud to have just won World Hidden Gem at the La Liste awards in Paris‘. The restaurateur went along to express his gratitude for being awarded at the La Liste gala event by saying that ‘rooted in the heart of the Kalahari, Klein JAN was inspired by a love of South Africa, heritage, and the concept of ‘home’, and it’s an honour to be recognised on the international stage’.
No stranger to winning awards, Jan has been awarded many times throughout his culinary career for his pristine skills in cuisine. The South African chef has previously had his restaurant, JAN in Nice located on the French Riviera earning a Michelin star in 2016. Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen has also made his mark as the first-ever South African chef to earn a Michelin star. He has since been awarded this honour a whopping four times!
The Klein Jan restaurant was established in April 2021, as a localised collaborative project between chef Jan Hendrik and Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve. The aim of the restaurant was to celebrate the under-explored culinary territory of the Kalahari region and to provide visitors with an authentic experience of South African culture through fine dining and excellent cuisine.
The Klein Jan restaurant is located in Tswalu just between Hotazel and Vanzylsrus in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. Klein Jan offers guests an eight-course tasting menu and wine pairing at ZAR 2500 per person. Guests are advised to make a booking at the Klein Jan restaurant during its lunch services which take place between 12:00 and 15:00.
For more information visit the Klein Jan website here.
Pictures: Supplied
ALSO READ:
The 2021 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year winners announced
