Kobus Van Der Merwe, a lover of nature that surrounded him throughout his youth, opened "Wolfgat" to honor it, blending innovation and tradition in his dishes rooted in the South African territory.
Born in the Kalahari Desert in 1980, Kobus Van Der Merwe grew up among the wild lands of the West Coast. He tried to enter the restaurant world by attending hotel school and working as a web editor for Eat Out. However, the call of his origins was stronger: he returned to his essence, embracing outdoor life and a cuisine that celebrates local products.
His culinary adventure began in 2009, in the family store "Oep Ve Koep," located in Paternoster, a charming fishing village not far from Cape Town. Here, Kobus experimented with his unique vision as a chef, mixing tradition and innovation.
Building on the success of this first venture, he created "Wolfgat," a restaurant overlooking the ocean named after a nearby cave. In this place, he offers an exclusive gastronomic experience: a seven-course tasting menu, paired with local wines. Each dish is a work of art, the result of meticulous research and preparation, based on the number of expected guests.
Kobus draws on the tradition of weldkos, using edible indigenous plants, part of the cultural heritage of the local natives. He is a master of foraging, personally choosing each ingredient directly from nature. Not just plants, but also gifts from the ocean: fish, oysters, sea urchins, and pasture-raised meats.
In 2014, his talent was recognized with the Nederburg Rising Star Award at the Eat Out Awards, solidifying his reputation as an innovator in the South African culinary scene.
