Return to Franschhoek
JAN Franschhoek Season II Has Arrived
After a very successful début season of Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s Cape Winelands experience, JAN Franschhoek is back for an eagerly anticipated second season.
In true JAN fashion, JAN Franschhoek takes guests on an intimate voyage of culinary discovery, celebrating traditional South African cuisine and hospitality in an entirely unique way. This exceptional experience succeeds in combining the nostalgia of the South African family table with Jan Hendrik’s signature vision as a chef.
“At every JAN destination, I had drawn from the comfort the classic recipes bring, whether through nostalgia or a slight French twist. Their simplicity has always allowed me to use their flavours and textures in new and inventive ways,” says Jan Hendrik, “But at JAN Franschhoek, we went back to the roots of every dish – no bells and whistles – in a way Leipoldt might have done. We bring our mains out on serving platters, small bowls and pickling jars, and let our guests share in the moment.”
As the food leaves the kitchen, a long, communal table fills with a feast of nostalgia, evoking memories of a simpler, more innocent time. But the experience also stirs up a sense of pride in South Africa’s culinary heritage, transforming the gathering into a joyous occasion, indulging in cuisine that brings everyone together, just as a family meal would.
“Living in Paarl and Stellenbosch more than a decade ago, I was obsessed with the place. It became home to me. Visiting Franschhoek always felt like having ice cream on Sundays,” says Jan Hendrik.
He remembers being fascinated by Veepos, the tiny 18th-century farmhouse in the lavender fields at La Motte, which was used as the primary location in Jan Hendrik’s hit TV series JAN RSVP. “To turn this tiny piece of history into an intimate dining experience that celebrates our country’s rich culinary heritage has been such a privilege,” says Jan Hendrik of his first season of JAN Franschhoek. “Going back for a second season means we can delve a little deeper into the tradition of gathering, true South African hospitality, and sharing unforgettable memories.”
As with every JAN experience, Jan Hendrik is very hands-on in the design of the menu with his team, led by JAN Group Executive Chef Antro Davel. As with Season I, Davel will oversee the culinary component of the experience, while day to day, the kitchen will be run by Sous Chef Lara van Heerden, who started out as a student chef in the kitchen at JAN Innovation Studio in Cape Town three years ago, and who has since worked extensively at JAN in Nice and at Klein JAN.
“I visit JAN Franschhoek often to tweak the experience. It takes years for a dining establishment to find its soul, signature and message, and what we have achieved in such a short time is incredible,” says Jan Hendrik.
Hosted at La Motte Wine Estate, the experience celebrates the distinct terroir of the Franschhoek Valley, and promises to be a unique and memorable sensory experience inspired by the seasons; the fynbos of spring, the energy of harvest time in the Winelands, and the splendour of the lavender fields in bloom.
