5 minutes with Frans Groenewald
The Restaurant at Gabriëlskloof celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and marks the occasion with a special menu of greatest hits. Presenting some of the most popular dishes of this Botriver wine estate eatery, the menu will be on offer for the months of October and November.
“It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed,” declares chef patron Frans Groenewald, who launched the venue in 2009 with his wife, Mariaan. “It was while working in London that we all first dreamt of owning a restaurant like this.” Frans and Mariaan have continued to build the restaurant’s award-winning status. Central to its success has been many customers-turned-friends who love the restaurant’s inimitable Overberg country style.
Gabriëlskloof Wontons
Where did you train as a chef?
Warwick Chef School Hermanus
What do you like to eat most?
At home nothing beats a good braai with friends
What’s your least favourite food?
Can’t think that there is such a thing….mmm…no i like all food!!
Happy diners
Do you have a childhood, Mom or Gran food memory?
My mother ran a catering company. Many Saturday night Weddings come to mind where I had to help.
What is your morning routine?
Coffee, coffee, coffee
From where do you draw your inspiration?
From my family, travels, local restaurants, staff’s input
Pork belly with sweet potato hummus & Dukkah
What’s your Favourite Dish you are cooking now?
Pork belly with sweet potato hummus and Dukkah
Favourite Cooking Tools?
I’m not big on gadgets, old school rules
What is your ideal neighbourhood eatery?
A place that cooks good food and where my kids can also be happy
The Gabriëlskloof Ultimate Burger
Always in your fridge at home?
Good cheese, butter, wine, matured rib eye steak, good mustard
Name 6 food items you would take to a Desert Island.
Eggs, butter, flour, spices, beef….the fish and other seafood we will catch there!
What is your Desert-Island Disc?
Time of my life from the movie Dirty Dancing
Gabrielskloof Magdalena
Your most underrated Wine?
I love all our Gabriëlskloof & Crystallum Wines
Your craziest Wine or Food or Equipment Purchase?
Went to a spice shop in the Bo-Kaap and went crazy
Saturday night after service tipple?
Gabriëlskloof’s Cabernet Franc from the landscape series or a nice whisky
Gabriëlskloof Butternut & Barley risotto
Restaurant peeve?
People who don’t show up for their booking
Your key wardrobe Item?
Shorts and plakkies
Talent you would like to have.
To be able to play a music instrument
Bees in your bonnet?
Rude people
The late Roger Vergé of Moulins de Mougins
Restaurant memento?
My signed Roger Vergé book, which I received when I worked there
Who is your Music person?
Laurika Rauch
Well known South African Crime Writer, Deon Meyer
Bedside Book?
Deon Meyer’s Books
Fictional Character with whom you identify?
My staff say Captain America
Raymond Blanc
One guest for dinner – who would that be?
Raymond Blanc
Routine after lunch or dinner service?
A drink with my staff and chat about the service
I’m currently working on….
Summer Menus
Kol Kol Mountain Lodge
My favourite weekend getaway is….
Kol Kol Mountain Lodge
Whisky, a painting by Julian Merrow Smith
Guilty Pleasures?
Whisky & Cheese
One day, I will….
Look back at my life and be happy
Gabriëlskloof Sago Pudding
How can people contact your restaurant?
Gabriëlskloof Restaurant
Telephone 0282849865 Ext 2
N2, Swartriver Road, Botriver
Email restaurant@gabrielskloof.co.za
Website www.gabrielskloof.co.za
GPS 34°14’19.88″S, 19°15’9.69″E
