Food lovers in the Franschhoek Valley – and beyond – will be as delighted as we are at the news that Gregory (Greg) Henderson has started working at La Residence as our new Executive Chef. Greg describes himself as both a forager and a chef, and that description reveals a great deal about his food philosophy.

Greg grew up in King Williamstown during what he calls a transitional period in South Africa’s history. It was a time when artificial divisions between communities were being removed, and there were new opportunities to learn from people of different backgrounds and absorb heritage from other cultures. In Greg’s case, this included learning about South Africa’s wild indigenous foods, and the knowledge he began to acquire (albeit with a few slight missteps on the way) has led him on a unique path as an evangelist for the delicious ingredients that – with a little effort – can be found growing wild in South Africa.
Greg has always seen these ingredients not just as components of dishes, but as strands in a multicultural story about where the food we eat actually comes from. At the same time, he remembers becoming dissatisfied with the lack of flavour in many commercially grown fruits and vegetables – they often could not compare with the wild versions.

In the same way that Liz Biden’s designs for La Residence weave together many different narrative threads, Greg wants his menus to do the same. He references local legends such as the elephants of the Knysna Forest and the histories of the different peoples who have moved into the Franschhoek Valley down the centuries.
Greg is looking forward to working closely with the team at La Residence and helping them to tell their own stories through the ingredients they use, and the outstanding meals they create. He has always been committed to conservation and community transformation – values that are entirely aligned with those of The Royal Portfolio.