Eric Bulpitt, who is an award-winning chef, is on the verge of launching a brand-new restaurant in the beautiful Winelands area of Avondale Estate in Paarl. The restaurant will launch at the break of November this year. Eric became a household name in 2014 after he sealed the number 9 spot in the Eat Out Mercedez-Benz Restaurant Awards.
Located in Klein Drakenstein, in a magnificent mountainous zone, Bulpitt managed to partner with Johnathan Grieve, an impeccable partnership as both of the share an equal passion. Grieve is described as a frontrunner in organic and biodynamic wine cultivation and wine-making methods. He is a born storyteller and Bulpitt comments on their first meeting, “When we met, we connected immediately.”
Eric continues to describe the reasons for this impeccable partnership, “With Johnathan’s respect for the land and earth we share a similar philosophy. If you get the best produce and respect it, it will give you what you need to make memorable food. There is a narrative about the food on your plate, too. Where does the food come from: where is the veg grown, how is the animal reared and how is the meat prepared; respect for the food is paramount. Storytelling in food is part of the entire experience: the chef’s ethos, the space and surrounds and ultimately what is on your plate.”
Moreover, the feeling is mutual regarding the partnership, “Meeting Eric as a potential restaurant partner was a perfect match,” he says about their first interactions.“Operating a destination restaurant at Avondale has been on our minds for the last ten years,” he explains, “but the fit was never right. This time, it’s perfect. Our philosophies are similar, Eric is passionate about where food comes from and I love his vision and type of food he makes – he has a refined and delicate touch.”
After the initial meeting between Eric Bulpitt and Johnathan Grieve, a co-operative alliance followed, a relationship simultaneous to the way in which the farm is run.
Grieve gives insight on the plans ahead at Avondale, “Opening a gourmet restaurant at Avondale fits in with our aim to be a top natural producer. We’re planning to have the organic vegetable garden eventually provide most of the vegetables for the kitchen. The location also could not be better, with easy access from the N1, Avondale boasts a prime placement in an area that begs for a fine-dining restaurant. ” Bulpitt adds on, “We have Angus cattle, eggs and chickens on the farm too.”
The name of the restaurant is unknown. However, public news has it that the current tasting gallery at Avondale is being refurbished into a restaurant that will seat around 80 people, including outside space for those perfect summer days in the Winelands.
With the launch of the restaurant planned for the beginning of summer, Eric Bulpitt and Avondale’s partnership is sure to become a decadent destination of note. “I just can’t wait to eat there!” Johnathan adds with a laugh.
Avondale is a 300 year old, family-run farm that is situated on Lustigan Road, Klein Drakenstein, Paarl – on the slopes of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains. For more information, visit www.avondalewine.co.za; phone 021 863 1976; follow on Twitter @AvondaleWine; or, visit www.facebook.com/AvondaleWines. The Avondale Tasting Gallery is open from Monday through to Sunday from 10h00 to 16h00.
