And yet, Erloom Stellenbosch is just a little different from the pop-up restaurant we know from Erloom in the Netherlands. Call it more of a culinary residency and exchange, intended to immerse the Erloom team in a different culture, a different landscape, and a completely new network of farmers, chefs, and makers. back to the training days. Or, as Erloom himself puts it: not to grow bigger, but to go deeper. The farmer or food producer becomes the foundation, and for eight weeks, a different local producer is highlighted each week: their product, farm, vineyard, or landscape, and above all, the story behind it. Two chefs with diverse backgrounds are paired with this. Together, they develop a menu centered around that producer.

This means that the program changes every week with new ingredients, new stories, new chefs, and new combinations. Because when you take people out of their comfort zone, space is created for new ideas. During the day, the team heads out into the countryside. There are farm visits, product research, workshops on topics including regenerative agriculture, fire, and fermentation, as well as excursions to producers and makers from the region. Eight student interns participate, gaining not only a glimpse into the kitchen but a much broader insight into how food, agriculture, landscape, and community are interconnected. In total, sixteen chefs are participating over the course of the eight weeks.

A key link in the South African adventure is culinary partner Margot Janse. The Dutch-born chef moved to Africa in 1989 and became one of the defining names in South African gastronomy. She rose through the ranks to become executive chef at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek, and in 2004 she opened The Tasting Room. Under her leadership, the restaurant was included in The World's 50 Best Restaurants for many years. Furthermore, in 2007, she became the first chef on the African continent to be awarded the title of Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef.

Today, her focus lies largely with Isabelo, Feeding Hungry Minds, the initiative she founded in 2009. Isabelo provides 1.500 children in the Franschhoek Valley with a nutritious meal daily and also supports local food initiatives and community kitchens. Within Erloom South Africa, Janse acts as the link to her network of chefs, farmers, and winemakers and contributes to the selection of chefs and local initiatives. All proceeds from the program are used for local social initiatives in South Africa. Together with Spier and Margot Janse, Erloom selected three initiatives that receive direct support: Isabelo / Feeding Hungry Minds, Tree-preneurs (honorsing local communities for growing indigenous trees and plants in exchange for food, school fees, and other basic necessities), and Abalimi Bezekhaya (helps people in Cape townships grow organic vegetables for greater food security and income).

Erloom South Africa takes place from January 29 to March 21, 2027, at Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch. Dinners are on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. So make a reservation, and fast.