Reuben's Franschhoek

General information

My heart was formed in the kitchen of my childhood.
As it is in kitchens where my adult heart now resides.

The values I have and the values I hold dear were all learned around food and family. Work hard. Show your love. Respect others.

Be kind. Be clean. Celebrate. Share. Give thanks.

I grew up in Groendal, on the outskirts of Franschhoek where I now live. In terms of distance, the two areas aren’t too far from each other, but in many ways they were worlds apart. The one was decidedly working class and reserved for people of colour, while the other was privileged and white.

Growing up, it was inconceivable that a boy from Groendal would one day live in - and own his own restaurant in - Franschhoek.

But it did happen. And here I am.
And how I got here is a story of love.
And hard work, yes but mostly it’s about love.
The love of family and the love of food.