Lizelle Stolze, co-owner and executive chef of one of our popular garden Route member establishments, Serendipity Guest House and Restaurant in Wilderness, has been chosen by SA Tourism as one of the Top 10 Women Chefs in South Africa 2013.
Lizelle, who started Serendipity Restaurant with husband Rudolf almost thirteen years ago, has made a big impression on the culinary industry over the last decade, with awards that include being named one of the Top Ten Young Chefs in South Africa 2010, also by SA Tourism.
Legend status for Serendipity at the CXPress Culinary awards, after being included in the top 20 Garden Route restaurants repeatedly; one of the top 80 restaurants in South Africa, by American Express Fine Dining Awards and a Service Excellence award by Trip Advisor.
Serendipity Restaurant is running some winter specials until the end of September, but they will be closed for their winter holiday in between, from 13 July to 19 August. Do not miss out on this culinary experience.
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Serendipity Restaurant Review
Heather Coull (left) from Portfolio Collection''s Cape Town office recently dined at Serendipity Restaurant and shares her experience...
Last week I was lucky enough to enjoy my second visit to the award-winning Serendipity restaurant. I have been once in summer and once in winter – it is a treat in both. On both occasions, we opted for the wine pairing, a choice that brings out the fabulous flavours of the food and amazing stories from Rudolf. He goes to great lengths to source unusual, and often unique, wines.
Last week we were welcomed on arrival and seated in the fire-lit lounge. Serendipity’s cocktail menu is out of the ordinary – my favourite being the Kir Royale with a difference – instead of Cassis, the sparkling wine is flavoured with prickly pear syrup. It is a delight to taste the unusual combinations and chat to fellow diners in the warm setting. In summer, cocktails are enjoyed on the veranda overlooking the lapping water and setting sun.
What differentiates Serendipity from other restaurants is that they always use South African culinary elements in their menu. Where else will you see Mosbolletjie Melba Toast on the menu? Grilled Kudu is served on a pearl barley and chickpea risotto and the Mediterranean Vegetable Tower is enhanced by a red pepper and pepperdew coulis. Their menus reflect the seasonality of the region, so there will always be something new to enjoy. The wine pairing saw us sampling a Pear “wine” from Solms Delta to accompany the pear and leek soup! For every course Rudolf finds the perfect match.
It is such a pleasure to enjoy local foods, presented with a twist, that seem to be produced by Lizelle effortlessly and to such great satisfaction. I am sure this will not be my last visit to Serendipity! Congratulations to Lizelle on her most recent award – well-deserved, and luckily for us, we can share her success – at the table!
Stay at Serendipity
Enjoy world class dining when you stay at beautiful Serendipity on the Garden Route.
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