The Saxon – renowned South African luxurious 5-star hotel – recently hosted a collaboration dinner with Le Petit Léon. Le Petit Léon is a Michelin-star restaurant located in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère in southwestern France. The restaurant is at the helm of husband-and-wife duo, Nick and Sina Honeyman. Chef Nick Honeyman, born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand, fell in love with classic French cuisine during his time at some of the greats like Arpège and Astrance in Paris. Sina Honeyman is the restaurant manager as well as a trained sommelière. This collaboration with the Saxon was a celebration of Chef Honeyman’s very first culinary homecoming at none other than Qunu Restaurant. Qunu, under the leadership of talented Chefs Matthew Foxon, Scott Dressels and Catherine Adonis, prides itself on bold flavours and the finest local ingredients.

The dinner commenced with an assortment of exquisite canapes featuring salmon tartare, smoked duck and pumpkin; beautiful and scrumptious bites. The four-course menu offered two choices per dish, alongside an optional wine pairing. The menu showcased hero-ingredients such as langoustine, onion, ostrich, potato, beef, king oyster, honey and chocolate. Stand-out dishes included the langoustine served in a beautifully light bisque beurre blanc with sunflower seed risotto, the ostrich pastrami alongside pickled mustard, truffle honey aioli, shaved parsnip and salted pretzel and the beef wagyu fillet accompanied by a rich umami brandy and foie gras sauce topped with mushroom and black truffle shavings. Desserts included the burnt honey cheesecake with lemon curd and and black truffle ice cream as well as the delectable Hukambi 53% chocolate tart with treacle meringue, candied hazelnuts and smoked vanilla ice cream. Wines were paired by Qunu’s outstanding resident sommelière and showcased some superb choices including the Château La Nerthe 2021, Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons Baroness Nadine Chardonnay 2021, Van Biljon Cinq 2019 as well as Porto Messias 30 Anos tawny port.

The Qunu X Le Petit Léon collaboration was remarkably impressive, surpassing all expectations. These masterfully skilled chefs showcased world-class cuisine in the most beautifully elegant setting. The dinner was complemented by exceptional service, infused with the genuine warmth and welcoming charm unique to South Africa. What an incredible dinner showcasing South African brilliance with a French flair.

You can find more details on upcoming events at Qunu here https://www.saxon.co.za/restaurant/qunu/ and if you find yourself in France, you can find details on Le Petit Leon here https://restaurantlepetitleon.fr/english