After wowing Somerset West’s residents at Benguela on Main, South Africa’s very own Jean Delport has achieved top honours as a chef in Sussex when his team at Restaurant Interlude was awarded their first Michelin star.
The primarily South African team received the amazing news on Monday, October 7, 2019 when the United Kindom’s Michelin guide’s Twitter announced its latest winners. This honour is a first for the restaurant and chef Jean Delport.
Restaurant Interlude is located within the historic woodland gardens of Leonardslee Gardens in South East England, and is Delport’s first restaurant.
It is a fairly new restaurant which opened its doors in early 2018 with a focus on a nature-inspired fine-dining experience created by Chef Jean Delport himself.
“Our menu is guided by what is available in our garden, we strive to build our pantry through patient harvesting and preservation, taking food back to basics and showcasing old traditional produce where possible,” the Restaurant’s website reads.
The restaurant shows clear naturalistic influences from the items on the menu to the decor and colour scheme.
“You’ll find this intimate restaurant in a listed mansion in Leonardslee Gardens,” reads the Michelin Guide’s description. “The team hails from South Africa but the two surprise tasting menus keep their focus firmly on the local area. Skilfully crafted dishes show good balance in their textures and flavours, and have a creative, original style.”
Being from Cape Town, Delport is passionate about the environment and sustainable sourced foods. His carefully designed menu shows his love for nature and then some.
“We cannot express the gratitude and excitement our team feels tonight! Restaurant Interlude has been rewarded with a Michelin Star in our very first year of opening. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey thus far and to Michelin for the recognition,” reads a post on the restaurant’s Instagram page.
Picture: Facebook/Jean Delport
