Tag Archives: Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg

Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg leaves Janse & Co, restaurant will continue to operate when it reopens!

 

The Corona Lockdown brings interesting news, and challenges and changes, so it was a surprise when I opened up my Instagram to the Janse & Co post last night, announcing the departure of Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg at the end of this month. No future plans are revealed. The restaurant is currently closed, but the Instagram post hints at the reopening of the restaurant at an undefined time.

Chef Arno is one of my favourite chefs, demonstrating no ego, staying in the background with very low key Social Media presence, and does things differently in every way.  During the beginning of Lockdown he and his wife Liezl worked tirelessly in cooking with Ladles of Love to feed many disadvantaged communities in Cape Town. He opened Janse & Co just over two years ago, after leaving Maison in Franschhoek, which was then my favorite restaurant in the gourmet village. Whilst at Maison, Chef Arno took the month-long restaurant winter closures to travel to Spain, South America, and other countries, to learn more about food.

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Exciting developments on the table at The Kitchen and The Tasting Room at Maison!

Maison Interior changes Whale CottageThe Kitchen and Tasting Room at Maison has been operating for almost three years, and during its recent two month winter break, a number of changes were made to the interior, to the menu, with further changes on the way.

Ten days ago I visited Maison after a long absence, mostly due to the winter closure, and my less frequent visits to Franschhoek in the winter months.  In walking to The Kitchen and Tasting Room at Maison it was a delight to see that the uncomfortable stony entrance walkway has been replaced with very comfortable walkable wooden decking.  Tables and chairs have been set up on the front lawn, to allow for overflow of unbooked guests.  Inside, the ceiling near the pass has been redone with wooden Maison wooden deck Whale Cottagecladding, as has a wall alongside the fireplace.   New lamps have been hung, looking like seahorses to me.  Lamps have been erected above the pass, with shelving above it, and the pass exterior has been wood-clad as well.

The biggest change is that a Deli is to be introduced in the winetasting section, on the right as one enters the building, with a bar counter, at which one will be able to taste six to eight Maison wines (the number is still to be finalised), each paired with two tapas-like bites reflecting some of the dishes which Chef Arno Continue reading →