Higgs leaving ‘to take up a business offer’ In a statement from Rust en Vrede, released by the restaurant today, it has been confirmed that David Higgs is leaving “to take up a business offer in Johannesburg.”

“Moving to Johannesburg from this environment is not an easy decision. However, the opportunity of being involved on a greater strategic business level within the food industry is one I feel compelled to pursue”. Though a great deal of rumours have been circulating about where David will be heading, and what this new opportunity might involve, David is staying mum for the time being.

He will continue to run the kitchen until the winter break, beginning 18 June, and proprietor Jean Engelbrecht has named current sous chef, John Shuttleworth, as his successor. Shuttleworth will take over the wielding of the wooden spoon when the restaurant reopens after the break, on 19 July.

“David will always be known as the chef who established one of the winelands’ finest restaurants as well giving the Rust en Vrede brand an added dimension of excellence,” says Engelbrecht. “I would like to thank him for his invaluable contribution and wish him well on his new career path where I am sure he will achieve the same degree of success he did at Rust en Vrede.

Higgs meanwhile said his tenure at Rust en Vrede had offered him the opportunity to realise his full potential as a restaurant chef. “As part of a fantastic team, I am proud to say that Rust en Vrede helped push winelands dining to a new level, and I have no doubt that Jean, John and the rest of the team will continue doing so,” he says. For Cape Town residents then, there are a couple of month still to catch Higgs in action at Rust en Vrede. Joburg meanwhile, waits with bated breath to see where Higgs is heading.