Jan Hendrik is celebrating with his team after winning the La Liste “World Hidden Gem” award for his restaurant KLEIN JAN.
South Africa (30 November 2021) – South Africa’s first Michelin-star chef, published author, artist, and passionate photographer, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen is celebrating a big win for his restaurant!
From kneading dough in the farmhouse kitchen of his childhood in Mpumalanga, South Africa to running his own restaurant in Nice, France, Jan-Hendrik’s journey has taken many unexpected turns. In 2019, he opened KLEIN JAN in the heart of the Kalahari.
KLEIN JAN is at Tswalu Kalahari, one of South Africa’s leading private game reserves; an untamed, untouched, unspoiled refuge that celebrates the simple, authentic splendours of this magical region.
Driven by his values of local authenticity, heritage, and sustainability of the environment, KLEIN JAN will become the region’s culinary epicentre; a place where the Kalahari’s unique ingredients will be translated into world-class cuisine.
Jan has long dreamt of discovering this unexplored culinary territory, which in his mind, has unlimited potential. Now his efforts are paying off! The restaurant has been selected as the World Hidden Gen at the La Liste in Paris.
“Congratulations to the Restaurant Klein JAN team for winning World Hidden Gem at the La Liste gala evening in Paris tonight.
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.
Well done team!” – Jan Hendrik
This is an incredible accomplishment!
“Few people realise the sacrifice and work it takes to run a world-class establishment in the middle of nowhere but we’ve done well so far!”
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