Mon 29 Oct 2018
JAN the Journal volume 1 takes food lovers on a journey, in SA and to Italy!
Posted by Chris von Ulmenstein under books, Cape Town, Chris von Ulmenstein, Food news, France, Michelin, Restaurant news, SwitchBitch, WhaleTales Blog
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Whilst I wrote SwitchBitch Book 2 in Apricale in Italy earlier this year, I saw JAN the Journal Volume 1 lying in the Apricus Locanda B & B. I was intrigued by its look and feel, and content, knowing Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, Chef and owner of one star Michelin restaurant JAN in Nice, to be highly creative and meticulous in what he does. (more…)
It was at a dinner with Katie Friedman of Urban Lime that I heard about the opening of Victoire, a French Boulangerie, Pâtisserie, and Bistro in the newly redeveloped Speakers’ Corner building on Church Square in Cape Town. I attended the opening, as well as had breakfast at Victoire the following day. 
It has been announced that the new chef heading up the new Le Petit Manoir restaurant on the main road in Franschhoek is Chef Kevin Grobler, previously the Head Chef of one Michelin star JAN restaurant in Nice. He has been joined in the kitchen by his former JAN colleague Chef Scott Armstrong. 
In celebration of dancing for the past 18 months, I am launching my first book ‘SwitchBitch: My Journey of Transformation from Sour to Sweet!’ next Sunday 25 March at Cape Town’s best loved dance party at La Parada Constantia Nek, with music created by DJ René and his team. 
Chef Piet Huysentruyt, founder and owner of Likoké one star Michelin restaurant in France, has lifted the bar of the cuisine served in Franschhoek, with his two-week pop-up restaurant at his The Conservatory, which finishes off on 15 March. It impressed with the unusual and creative combination of ingredients, and the presentation of the dishes. 
At the end of February, for a period of two weeks, French one Michelin Star restaurant Likoké will make a pop-up appearance at The Conservatory in Franschhoek, with its owner and Chef Piet Huysentruyt. A number of writers was invited to taste bites of his creative cuisine last month. 
Yesterday Chef Paul Bocuse, the creator of Nouvelle Cuisine, died at the age of 91 years. His restaurant L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges outside Lyon held three Michelin stars for the past fifty years! The Gault-Millau guide named him ‘Chef of the Century’! Bocuse was the first Chef to marry cooking with sound business principles, creating a brand for himself and his cooking.
A year ago I posted here on my Blog that 2016 was the best year of my life. Looking back on 2017, I can echo this sentiment about 2017, surpassing what was already a fantastic 2016! The year was crowned by the publishing of my first book, and I plan to write two this year. I discovered my Self-Love, and now can truly stand on my own two feet! 
Tuesdays won’t be the same, after the last and eighth episode of JAN TV series was broadcast on viaTV and Showmax last night. Through the TV series we have been blessed to receive such a detailed insight into the life and philosophy of Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, owner of Proudly South African and first Michelin one-star Restaurant JAN, based in Nice. 
Episode 4 of the JAN viaTV series was focused on Apricale, and foraging in the area, both for wild-growing flowers and herbs, as well as for truffles. It was special to see Jeanette van Manen, owner of the Apricus Locanda, at which I stayed in August whilst writing The Book. 
