Darren Badenhorst, Grande Provence Executive Chef, is one of just four South Africans to be nominated for The Best Chef Awards 2017.
Launched in Poland in 2016, this international social media driven competition seeks out the world’s top chefs in terms of culinary artistry and visual presentation. The winning chefs are selected in six categories by 300 voters comprising chefs, food writers and culinary experts across the globe as well as 1,5 million Likes from followers on the competition’s digital platform.
The other South Africans to be included in the Top 300 World Selection of the Best Chef Awards 2017 are Chantel Dartnall of Restaurant Mosaic who is also an ambassador for the awards, Peter Templehoff of the Greenhouse and Michael Deg of Delaire Graff Restaurant.
Darren's rose & white chocolate macaroon with caramelized white chocolate mousse, rose pearls and pipette, toasted macadamia nuts and candyfloss ice cream
A perfectionist and master of visual food presentation, Chef Darren literally creates art on a plate with every dish served at The Restaurant at Grande Provence in Franschhoek.
Drawing from the best local seasonal produce and embracing a variety of cuisine styles, Chef Darren lives out his passion exploring more unusual and challenging ingredients, some even foraged by his own hand. Grounded by his strong focus on the visual aspects of food, great depth of flavour and meticulous attention to detail down to the last micro herb, every plate is a culinary revelation for all the senses.
“We like to wow our guests with a diverse experience showcasing some rather exciting and beautifully presented ingredients. Every element needs to reveal itself to all the senses, be it sight, smell or touch,” says Chef Darren.
Carraway cured quail GǪ crushed pearl barley, baby beets mosaic, caramelized onion soubise, celeriac puree
His unexpected culinary twists and use of locally foraged and supplied ingredients from speciality purveyors, allow him to be truly unique in his approach.
Votes and Likes for the 100 finalists of The Best Chef Awards 2017 can be cast during the entire month of September. The winners will be announced during the finals in Warsaw on 25 October. Follow the Best Chef Awards on Instagram and Facebook.
For more information visit www.thebestchefawards.com.
Summer Berry ice cream sandwich