Hylton Espey in front of his restaurant in Falmouth, UK. The South African has just been honored with a Michelin star. (Photo: Hylton Espey/Facebook)
The South African chef Hylton James Espey (40) has just become the fifth South African chef to be awarded a prestigious Michelin star.
Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants of exceptionally high quality and are considered a crown jewel for restaurants and chefs worldwide.
Espey follows in the footsteps of Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, who in 2016 became the first South African chef to receive a Michelin star. In 2019, the honor went to Jean Delport and Conor Toomey. Last year, Thinus van der Westhuizen found himself in this elite group and now Espey is also one of the handful of South Africans who can boast of the world-famous star.
Culture’s open plan kitchen. (Photo: culture.restaurant/Instagram)
Espey it on GoodThingsGuy said he had always dreamed of getting a Michelin star and that his parents inspired him to follow the dream. “Growing up in a house with a mother who is an exceptional cook meant we had Good ate. She worked in the wine industry and I fell in love with small, country restaurants and wine pairings.
“Foraging for clams and allspice with my dad influenced my modern, nature-inspired style,” Espey told GoodThingsGuy.
Hylton Espey and his wife, Petro. (Photo: culture.restaurant/Instagram)
Espey is the owner of the restaurant Culture in Falmouth in England. The restaurant opened its doors only eight months ago and, according to the website, is the realization of a lifelong dream of two chefs who fell in love with each other, with wine and with cooking.
Chefs sniff outside every day for ingredients and inspiration; the names of dishes on Culture’s menu also come from what inspired the particular dish.
They were overjoyed to get the invitation to the Michelin awards and even more so when the green Michelin star was awarded.
One of the dishes on chef Hylton Espey’s menu at Culture. (Photo: culture.restaurant/Instagram)
Espey, originally from Cape Town, is still a proud South African. He was back in the Mother City last week where he celebrated the award with family and friends.
“I really miss the reasonable meat prices, wine and weather in South Africa. My family is still all here and of course we miss them. The waves are good and the Cape mountains are a different experience,” he told the website.
(Photo: culture.restaurant/Instagram)
He also hopes his story inspires other South Africans to realize their dreams.
“Believe in yourself, accept criticism in a constructive way and be determined about what you believe. Be humble when your dreams come true and remember everyone who was part of your journey.”
