PRESS RELEASE – Eric Bulpitt is set to open a new restaurant at Avondale Estate in the Paarl Valley on 1 November 2016.
In his current position at The Restaurant at Newton-Johnson in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley outside Hermanus, Eric has made a name for himself as a chef who is passionate about provenance, and he clinched number 9 spot in the 2014 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards.
With the move to Avondale, with its spectacular setting against the Klein Drakenstein mountains, Bulpitt has found an equally passionate partner in owner Johnathan Grieve. A pioneer in organic and biodynamic wine cultivation and wine-making practices, Johnathan is a storyteller at heart and, Eric states, “when we met, we connected immediately.”
“Opening a gourmet restaurant at Avondale fits in with our aim to be a top natural producer,” Johnathan explains. “We’re planning to have the organic vegetable garden eventually provide most of the vegetables for the kitchen,” Eric shares of his plans at Avondale. “We have Angus cattle, eggs, chickens on the farm,” Johnathan adds. The location also could not be better, with easy access from the N1, Avondale boasts a prime placement in an area that begs for a fine-dining restaurant.
Along with his wife, Celeste, who manages the front of house, Eric is excited about the move. “I want to make people happy through a great food and guest experience,” he enthuses.
While the name of the restaurant is still under discussion, what can be revealed is that the current tasting gallery at Avondale is being revamped into a restaurant, that will seat around 80 people, including outside space for those perfect Summer days in the Winelands.