Chef Jan Hendrik Van Der Westhuizen
Restaurant :
The first South African chef to earn a Michelin star, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen has become a prominent figure in international gastronomy.
Born in South Africa, Jan Hendrik grew up in a family where food played a central role — especially alongside his grandmother Maria, to whom he would later pay tribute by naming the cheese room of his restaurant “Maria”.
In 2010, he left South Africa for Europe and settled in Monaco as a private chef. Three years later, he opened his own restaurant JAN in Nice, which earned a Michelin star three years after opening.
His restaurant quickly became a renowned address, awarded 3 toques by Gault&Millau in 2022.
His cuisine — both gastronomic and emotional — beautifully blends Mediterranean and South African flavors.
Today, Chef Jan divides his time between France and South Africa, continuously honoring his heritage through a cuisine that is bold, sincere, and deeply personal.
