Prepared by Marvin Robyn, the passionate young head chef who is bringing new energy to The Restaurant at Grande Provence, the Heritage Tasting Menu is available exclusively to dinner guests. The menu offers a wide selection of fresh, local ingredients expertly prepared with Chef Marvin’s own twist on South African heirloom recipes.
With dishes such as Malay onions, smoked snoek & fish kaiings; Ox tongue with sweet mustard & pickled butternut; lamb rump, morogo & rooibos jus; and springbok rump with mielie pap, chakalaka, buchu & honey jus, the menu is a collection of true South African heritage food. Grande Provence celebrates its 325 year heritage in every facet of its operations, from the 17th century buildings to The Gallery focusing on local artists using age-old techniques with a contemporary vision.
Chef Marvin, who cut his culinary teeth helping his grandmother produce trays of herzoggies for her catering business, graduated with distinction from the acclaimed Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) in his home town of Stellenbosch. Before joining the Grande Provence team towards the end of 2018, he gained valuable experience working with leading chefs in a number of top winelands restaurants including Delaire Graff, Cuvée at Simonsig, Equus at Cavalli and finally Makaron at Majeka House.
At Grande Provence, Marvin has shown tremendous leadership ability despite his young age and is an enthusiastic mentor to the rest of the kitchen brigade with endless good energy and new ideas. He describes his cooking style as refined South African classics, bringingnew inspiration and modernity to local heritage food.
The Restaurant at Grande Provence is open daily for lunch and dinner. The new dinner Heritage Tasting Menu is priced at R495, R595 and R695 for 3, 4 and 5 courses respectively without wines, and from R780 to R980 with an elegant Grande Provence wine paired with each dish. To book your table, call Tel: +27.21876 8600 or email reservations@grandeprovence.co.za.
More about Chef Marvin Robyn
Marvin Robyn is a passionate young chef, bringing new energy to The Restaurant at Grande Provence.
Marvin who was brought up by his mother and grandmother in Stellenbosch, cut his teeth in the kitchen helping his granny with her catering business. He fondly recalls producing endless trays of herzoggies, a traditional South African sweet pastry. Watching Ready Steady Cook on the DSTV Food Network gave him a further nudge onto his culinary career path.
Lack of funding for formal studies after matric, saw him literally starting at the bottom as a pot washer in the scullery of a local restaurant. His fortune soon changed when one of the chefs became ill allowing Marvin to step up and take over the breakfast shift. His talent and eagerness to learn was soon rewarded when a local NGO, Stellenploy, awarded him a bursary to study at the acclaimed Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) in his home town. After graduating with distinction in 2011, Marvin’s career as a chef could start in all earnest.
Before joining the Grande Provence team towards the end of 2018. he gained valuable experience working with leading chefs in a number of top winelands restaurants including Delaire Graff, Cuvée at Simonsig, Equus at Cavalli and finally Makaron at Majeka House. Marvin who worked with Chef Lucas Carstens for six years, first at Cuvée and later as sous chef at Makaron, still considers him his mentor today. On the international front, he cites London Michelin chef Marco Pierre White as a source of culinary inspiration.
As an avid fisherman, Marvin loves working with fresh seafood above all else. In his free time when he’s not cooking up a storm in the Grande Provence kitchen, you’ll find him surf fishing off the beach or fishing from the rocks. He also loves catching up with his chef friends, sharing ideas and exploring new horizons.
More about Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate
Located in Franschhoek, the heartland of South African wine country, Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate embraces true South African wine heritage, excellent food at The Restaurant and luxury accommodation at The Owner’s Cottage and La Provençale. Part of the internationally acclaimed Huka Retreats, other facilities Grande Provence offers guests are The Winery, The Jonkershuis, The Gallery, The Sculpture Garden and The Shop. For more information visit www.grandeprovence.co.za, Facebook.com or Twitter @grande_provence.