Meet the newest Michelin-star chef from South Africa
South African Thinus van der Westhuizen was awarded a coveted Michelin star!
Thinus van der Westhuizen has become the latest South African to be awarded a coveted Michelin star.
The 33-year-old works as the head chef at 99 Sushi Bar in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
99 Sushi Bar specialises in Japanese cuisine.
It has become one of the first establishments to be awarded a Michelin star in a Middle Eastern country.
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The Pretoria-born chef, who went to Hoërskool Menlopark, said he has always had a love for cooking, especially Japanese food.
"Japanese food has always been a big love of mine," he said.
According to van der Westhuizen, he used to work in hotels after working at a Japanese restaurant in Plettenberg Bay.
After a while, he felt the need to return to the restaurant kitchens and Japanese food was the answer.
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Van der Westhuizen told Breakfast with Martin Bester that although the award came as a surprise, he was incredibly thankful and proud.
"When I got the email I thought it was spam," the Michelin-star chef said.
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