Situated in the heart of Randburg is a pub and restaurant that is about to become as famous as its British cousin. The Pot Kiln in Africa has all the charm and down-to-earth values of a countryside venue the only difference being that this pub brings the countryside into the suburbs.

Thanks to the venue’s superb Executive Chef Chad Humby’s close working relationship with Mike Robinson - the British chef made famous for his wonderful show, Heaven’s Kitchen, on BBC Food, about his equally wonderful rural restaurant, the Pot Kiln – the South African pub and restaurant has been personally endorsed by the celebrity chef and he has also provided the Pot Kiln in Africa’s menu with some of his delicious signature dishes, such as Pave of Venison, Rabbit in Olive Oil, Garlic & Rosemary and Venison Terrine. Chad says, “From the moment after stepping over the threshold at the Alicats pub, the idea of establishing a true gastro-pub restaurant leaped to my mind. Having been fortunate enough to have worked with Mike in South Africa and subsequently at the Pot Kiln in the UK, building a longstanding friendship and working relationship with him rounded off the concept for me. After a brief phone call to Mike my own excitement echoed back from the Pot Kiln in the UK, giving birth to this exciting collaboration.”

The Pot Kiln in Africa has adopted a similar philosophy to the British version: to serve great food, from local produce, at good prices. Chef Chad says, “Sharing the same passion as Mike to work with only the best natural ingredients from local suppliers, in an unadulterated manner defines and clinches my lifelong passion with food. The essence of what we do is only to enhance the natural flavours of nature’s glorious bounty by applying just the right measure of cooking and flavouring. The menu will be dictated to by availability and season.”

“I am totally thrilled to have a very competent Chef and great friend spreading my ideas and values of fresh produce, cooked home-style and bursting with flavour. Chef Chad is the best man for the job and I am delighted to endorse the Pot Kiln In Africa,” says Mike Robinson of his collaboration with Executive Chef Chad Humby.

Chef Chad trained at some of South Africa’s most exclusive cooking venues such as The ML Sultan Technikon Hotel School, Natal Technikon, Chantecler School of Food and Wine, and the Prue Leith College of food and wine, before he joined the Swiss Hotel School as senior lecturer for culinary studies. Now, he not only teaches part time at the Swiss Hotel School but is currently running the kitchen at the up market Bryanston Sports Club, with partner Leatitia Rademeyer, under the auspices of their highly reputable P I N C Catering Company, and the Pot Kiln in Africa falls under their care. “The Pot Kiln in Africa is a brilliant concept and I am fortunate enough to be working with a team of talented and enthusiastic young chefs, lead by the highly skilled Executive Chef, Chad Humby,” remarks Leatitia.

The chefs at the Pot Kiln in Africa have all been trained by Chef Chad at the Prue Leith College and then hand-picked for this valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in the restaurant’s kitchen. Chad's Sous Chef, Christuan Jordaan, has just returned from the UK, where he worked in the kitchen of the Hilton Hotel. “I have selected a group of young chefs who share the same exuberance and passion as me, each of whom will bring their own personalities to bear. Furthermore we are complimented by three wonderful ladies who have worked for Alicats, their own eagerness to learn and share in my vision astounds me. The front of house will be taken care of by Sindi an amazing young lady, schooled by myself ensuring that our patrons receive the best service,” explains Chef Chad. Not only is this talented head chef offering his trained chefs positions but he is also providing empowering opportunities to his hotel students, who, by working as waiters offering formal plate service at the Pot Kiln in Africa, gain the practical experience they require to help kick-start their careers.

While feeling comfortable in the Pot Kiln in Africa’s wonderfully warm and welcoming traditional British pub-style atmosphere, patron’s can look forward to a menu that is hearty and flavourful, where the dishes offer tasty British country-style fare but with a South African twist, such as the delicious “Skilpadjies” or as the Brits put it “liver faggots”.

In keeping with the British Pot Kiln’s cooking values, all the dishes are created using fresh, natural produce and then cooked very slowly to enhance the wholesome flavours, after which herbs and spices are added to further increase the taste sensations.

The Pot Kiln in the UK is famous for its game and at the Pot Kiln in Africa there’s no exception – the venison is absolutely heavenly. To end off on a sweet note the sinful “chocolate fondant” – Chef Chad’s secret recipe – simply oozes with the heavenly taste of chocolate. Overall, the Pot Kiln in Africa’s eating experience is one that won’t be easily forgotten and the prices are reasonable with starters coming in at around R32, mains cost between R32 and R80, and desserts start at about R25.

“The team at the Pot Kiln in Africa strives to offer you a unique dining experience, starting off with our own artisan style breads made with our own Sour dough ‘Susan’. The menu delivers a varied choice of dishes prepared as your Ouma would have, only better!” says Chef Chad of the new gastro-pub.

The Pot Kiln in Africa, 11 Seddon Ave, Kensington B, Randburg. Tel 011 886 4593