SA Country Life

A Fare of the Heart

Tucked away in a side street just o- Dorp Street, De Volkskombuis is a restaurant that truly pays homage to heritage. Crackling fires throw shadows and light onto the gleaming copper displayed on the walls, and welcome you in winter. In summer, guests spill out onto the lawn and enjoy the shade of old oak trees.

Built on the farm previously known as Vredenburg, in Stellenbosch, it was originally a gathering of labourers‘ cottages designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1902. After being renovated and leased by the Stellenbosch Heritage Association, it operated as a restaurant, but became vacant and derelict. The Rupert family restored the buildings in 2017, and De Volkskombuis was born.

It‘s here that chef Daniel de Villiers delights diners with heart-warming country fare. After home schooling and studying at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town, he kick-started his career as a trainee chef at a luxury lodge. This was followed by a nine-year stint on the wine estates of Delaire Gra-, Webersburg, and Grand Dédale, as well as at Stables at Vergelegen, and Wagon Trail at Anura.

It was at The Big Easy restaurant in Stellenbosch that his career took o-, first as sous chef and then returning as head chef. When it closed in 2017, owners Johann Rupert and Jean Engelbrecht rewarded Daniel‘s hard work with the position of executive chef at De Volkskombuis.

The Big Easy was also where Daniel met his wife Shani, who was a waitress there but is now front-of-house manager at De Volkskombuis. Daniel‘s eyes light up when he talks about her and their two-year-old daughter, Lilya. Family has played a big role in his love of food and cooking.

’My mother is my inspiration, the reason why I started cooking. She gave me my true motivation. Hmm, I have never told her,“ he says, smiling. ’Both my grans also were good cooks.“ Sandwiched

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from SA Country Life

SA Country Life1 min readCooking, Food & Wine
Cellar Talk
Long-standing force behind the famous Graham Beck bubblies, cellar master Pieter Ferreira, affectionately known as ‘Mr Bubbles’, is making limited quantities of two Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines under his own name. The Pieter Ferreira MCC win
SA Country Life3 min read
Easy Up Easy Down
If you are like me and tend to jump from one DIY project to another without finishing anything in one go, having an additional work station to use from time to time is handy. Or if you have limited space in a workshop or garage, a workbench that can
SA Country Life1 min read
Giveaways
We are giving away a selection of books reviewed on this page. SMS the code JUNBOOKS, your name, telephone number, email and delivery address to 48402 before 30 June 2020. SMSes charged at R1.50 and free SMSes to do not apply. Ts and Cs on page 7. ■

Related