SA chef's restaurant awarded with Michelin star
99 Sushi Bar in Abu Dhabi was awarded one Michelin star in 2023.
Last year, Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to chef Thinus van der Westhuien, who became the latest South African to be awarded a coveted Michelin star.
The 34-year-old is the head chef at 99 Sushi Bar in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
99 Sushi Bar specialises in Japanese cuisine.
LOOK: SA's most expensive house has been sold
It has become one of the first establishments to be awarded a Michelin star in a Middle Eastern country.
With precision in the well-constructed and beautifully-presented dishes, this pristine establishment returned with another one Michelin star this year.
"What an honour it was for the 99 Abu Dhabi team to be awarded with 1 MICHELIN Star in 2023. With this great recognition also came great responsibility: our duty to maintain ourselves in the stellar race to the gastronomic heavens," the establishment posted on Instagram.
The Pretoria-born chef, who went to Hoërskool Menlopark, said he has always loved cooking, especially Japanese food.
LOOK: Take a look inside Eben Etzebeth's ocean-view home
"Japanese food has always been a big love of mine," he said.
According to van der Westhuizen, he used to work in hotels after working at a Japanese restaurant in Plettenberg Bay.
After a while, he felt the need to return to the restaurant kitchens, and Japanese food was the answer.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.