Duncan Welgemoed

Duncan Welgemoed returns to his South African roots with his acclaimed restaurant Africola. Now residing in Adelaide by way of ten years learning his trade in several UK Michelin-starred restaurants – including Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and The Goose at Britwell Salome – Duncan felt it was time to take on the cuisine of his hometown, while translating it with his training. Africola is Duncan’s autobiography: it’s the food his chef father taught him how to cook in backyard braais, it’s his years of learning his trade under the best, it’s his love of foraging and his militant seasonality, all interpreted for a modern Australian audience. “Welgemoed does beauty. He does power. He does storytelling. He does direct. He’s a Hemingway of a chef. And Africola might be his first great novel.” The Australian Africola scored in the top 100 Hottest Restaurants in The Financial Review’s peer-voted awards this year. As Executive Chef at Bistro Dom and achieved accolades as The Australian’s Hottest Restaurant in SA (Hottest 50, 2013) and The Advertiser’s Chef of The Year (2013). His unshackled approach to the successful dining at Adelaide Festival's club - Lola’s Pergola - showcased South Australia’s local produce first and foremost, giving credit to those who grow it, nurture it and deliver it to your plate. The 10-night degustation program at Lola's Pergola designed by Duncan was as impeccably curated as the festival itself.