From mod cuts to Jan’s French Boere cuisine

What you want to know this week

Jan is cooking in SA

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, South Africa's superstar chef, has brought the Klein JAN experience to Franschhoek over the past two years with a seasonal pop-up at La Motte wine estate.

This week, he announced that he's returning to Franschhoek to present manicured dining experiences for gourmets in La Motte's charming 18th-century Veepos cottage. The menus will reflect Van der Westhuizen's signature style – nostalgia meets international culinary trends.

Make reservations on Dineplan. At R3,200 a person, it's much cheaper than travelling to Nice in France to dine at his restaurant there. The Veepos can accommodate only 18 people, so you'll have to shake a leg with your bookings.

From waste to wardrobe

Globally, just 1% of clothing is recycled; most of it ends up in dumpsites and landfills. There is a growing push to encourage “circular fashion" – where garments and textiles are recycled – to reduce the industry's massive environmental footprint.

Finds

The loveliest green platter  (our favourite colour.) At the incredible price of R39.99.

We love this striped bedding. It's on sale now at Mr Price Home. 

And this lovely wooden candle holder is great. At yuppiechef.com for R199.

Trend

The new hairstyle for men

The next coiffure du jour is the so-called mod cut. The mod cut is the more grown-up, trim older brother to a mullet. It's characterised by a straight, precise line on top, a long fringe that falls over the forehead, and shorter scissor cuts on the sides.

Food

Remember Peppermint Crisp tart?

The Fomolistas revisited this South African seductress.

Put on your shopping list: 1 packet of Tennis biscuits, 1 small can of Nestlé Caramel Treat, five Peppermint Crisp bars, 1 Aero chocolate bar and 1,250 ml whipping cream. Then watch the video below to see how to put it together.

Crispy fresh parmesan salad

The foodies like leaves. And there's a new salad on our menu. As with all super simple dishes, this one depends on the quality of the ingredients. Buy the crispiest lettuce and the best oil and cheese you can afford.

For your shopping list: Romaine lettuce, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, lemon juice.

Interesting info

How much does a South African athlete earn for an Olympic medal?

According to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), South Africa has sent 138 athletes (excluding reserves) across 19 codes to compete for podium finishes at the Paris Games.

Sascoc divides its monetary incentives into individuals, relay and team sports and boats (two athletes).

Individuals:

• Gold: R400,000
• Silver: R200,000
• Bronze: R75,000

Relay and team sports per person:

• Gold: R100,000
• Silver: R75,000
• Bronze: R50,000

By comparison, how much does a petrol station attendant earn?

According to the wage tables for 2024/25, petrol attendants earn a minimum of R1,962.45 a week (R7,850 a month), or R43.61 per hour, while cashiers earn slightly less (R1,941.75 a week).

According to Glassdoor, an online salary and employment firm, surveys show that petrol attendants in Johannesburg, South Africa, earn roughly R750 in tips per month.

A poll conducted by BusinessTech across 4,720 people shows 44% don’t tip petrol attendants, while 27% said they tip R5. Only 13% tip more than R10, 10% said they tip R20, while only 3% tip more than R20.

Last word

Quote of the week

@wealthywomenguide

#5 Anaïs Nin quotes

#1 And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
#2 Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
#3 Shame is the lie someone told you about yourself.
#4 My ideas usually come not at the desk writing but in the midst of living.
#5 The only abnormaility is the incapacity to love.

♦ VWB ♦

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