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Linda Trautmann

Head Chef

As Head Chef at The Manor on Nederburg Wine Estate, Chef Linda brings farm-to-table dining to life through bold South African flavors. Her cooking balances comfort with elegance, letting quality ingredients shine.

Training and Experience

Originally from Germany, Chef Linda trained at the Silwood School of Cookery. Here, she earned her Grande Diploma in Cordon Bleu Cookery. Over the past two decades, she’s worked across high-caliber establishments. This ranges from fine dining and wine estates to private catering in South Africa and Scotland. 

Her background also includes pastry work and running her own bakery, giving her a well-rounded skill set that spans savory and sweet. Each experience shaped her understanding of seasonality and sustainability. With this insight, she uses an ingredients-first approach, allowing their flavors to lead each dish.

Local Flavors Take Center Stage

Using West Coast mussels, Cape fynbos herbs, biltong, and venison, Chef Linda highlights the vibrancy of the local landscape. She also works closely with Nederburg’s own farm produce, including salad crops, vegetables, and trout from the estate.

Her signature Biltong-Spiced Ostrich Steak comes with rainbow slaw, candied sweet potato fondant, and cranberry Savanna sauce. The Jack Black Beer and Miso Braised Lamb Ribs bring together comfort and refinement. Her harissa-grilled baby carrots with hummus show how simplicity can be memorable. Expect creative takes on South African food alongside thoughtful wine pairings.

Cooking for a Diverse Audience

Cape Town diners bring different expectations to the table. Locals appreciate genuine and creative flavor profiles, while visitors often seek regional cuisine. Chef Linda thrives in delivering for both. She reimagines South African classics like milk tart with apricot and vanilla coulis. Every dish connects back to the landscape’s character and what’s in season.

From seasonal menus to signature pairings with Nederburg’s wines, Chef Linda’s philosophy is simple. She lets quality ingredients shine and builds flavor in layers. And as a signature, her food celebrates the authentic character of South African cuisine.

Be Inspired

Braai Ideas: Wood, Smoke, and Flavor With Chef Ashley

  Back Share When fire meets flavor, magic happens. Chef Ashley Dokter-Mosotho knows that, and every dish at his braai tells a story. In this guide, he shares how to turn a simple braai (barbecue) into an experience that feels proudly South African, from the firewood to the last bite of skaapstertjie. Pro Wood Braai Why Wood and Fire Matter for a Braai If you ask Ashley, there’s no debate. “Wood gives life to a braai,” he says. Charcoal might be quick, but it lacks the character that comes from slow-burning wood. The deep, earthy aroma of rooikrans or kameeldoring carries through every piece of meat and vegetable, leaving behind a flavor that tells a story. The trick is patience. Build your fire in layers. Let the first blaze burn down until the coals glow red, then spread them out to create zones. One side for searing, one for steady

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