Johannes Richter, head chef at the award-winning restaurant The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate, masterfully reflects the region’s culinary diversity with his farm-to-table approach. Blending his French culinary training with Asian techniques, Richter’s The LivingRoom was named “Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year” in 2022.

Inspired by his mother from a young age, the chef developed a passion for cooking and, with her encouragement, began traveling to different regions to discover local products and food cultures. These organized trips with his family fostered a deep love and respect for the local cuisines of Africa.

While studying statistics at university, Johannes Richter turned to his passion for gastronomy, trained in French cuisine, and gained experience in Michelin-standard restaurants. He returned to South Africa in 2017 and founded The LivingRoom.

Chef Johannes, a passionate advocate for local products from the KwaZulu-Natal region, combines his French culinary training and interest in Asian cuisine with the region’s ingredients to offer a unique gastronomic experience. The menu is completely renewed every two months based on seasonality and products carefully selected from Summerhill’s kitchen gardens and local suppliers.