David Higgs, picture courtesy of Neil Pendock, Times Live Blog.
David Higgs is to leave Rust en Vrede in mid June to move to Johannesburg and open a “new venture”.
So why is he leaving?
According to a restaurant spokesperson, David has been at Rust en Vrede since November ‘07 and he feels “it’s time to move on and try new things.”
In an unusual move the replacement for David will be an internal recruit, and someone “who has worked alongside him for some time” will take over the reins.
Who that will be will be the subject of a later announcement by Rust en Vrede.
The restaurant is adamant that the food will remain the same and there will be no changes.
I ate there twice this year and for me there were huge issues. The food and service was inconsistent. So I actually think this is a good move for David, it’s time to move on.
A change is as good as a rest and we wish him well with his new adventure in Jozi.
Rust en Vrede.
He should do well as, according to the Mail and Guardian’s editor Nick Dawes, the dining landscape in Johannesburg is a wasteland.
Update, Friday April 18th.
John Shuttleworth, currently sous chef at Rust en Vrede, will replace Higgs as head-chef when the restaurant reopens on 19 July.
David Higgs, commenting on his move to Johannesburg, said;
“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.
“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.”
Posted in 
Tags: 
[...] David Higgs is to leave Rust en Vrede in mid June to move to Johannesburg and open a “new venture”. So why is he leaving? According to a restaurant spokesperson, David has been at Rust en Vrede since November ‘07 and he feels “it’s time to move on and try new things.” In an unusual move the replacement for David will be an internal recruit, and someone “who has worked alongside him for some time” will take over the reins. (Spill) [...]
I may be wrong but it seems that being Eat Out Chef of the Year means closing a restaurant or moving on. Off the top of my head, Luke, Richard, Jardine, Ginja now David. Do you agree?
Clare! Congratulations on yet another scoop.
You were also the only journalist with the ‘balls” to be to the point and honest in your reviews of R&V. You are the voice that South African food writing has been lacking for years. Cheers!
THE MAN IS ABOVE BRILLIANT EVEN PEOPLE CAME FROM ENGLAND TO EAT HIS FOOD AT MEERENDAL,DAVID IS THE DONALD TRUMP OF FOOD HE WILL LOOSE HERE BUT GAIN BILLIONS AF ADMIRERS SOMEWHERE ELSE.HE CREATE THE APPRENTICE BUT IF HE DOES LEARN IS HIS OWN FAULT.DH HAS GOT THE TALENT JUST ASK THE MEERENDAL STAFF AND FARM WORKERS.HE CUOLD HAVE CHASE ME AWAY THE DAY WE MUT MY CREMBRULAY CHANGE HIS MIND.THANK YOU FOR PUTTING MONEY IN MY POCKET AND FOOD ON MY TABLE.BECAUSE OF YOU I RECEIVE WOOLWORTHS(BRNVILLE)WAITER OF THE EVENING.THANK YOU DAVID HIGGS YOUR THE MAN BRO! LOVE BRODERICK. JESUS DOES EXCIST BECAUSE HE IS GOD’S HEAVENLY FLESH AND BLOOD(ITIM3VERSE 16)