Cape Town, 28 January 2025—At the end of last year, Steenberg Farm marked 10 years of collaboration with Kerry Kilpin (“Chef Kerry”), who has been integral in shaping its culinary offerings since 2014. Over the past decade, Chef Kerry has overseen significant milestones, including reimagining restaurant concepts and fostering sustainability initiatives.

Looking Back on 10 Years

Chef Kerry joined Steenberg as Executive Chef of Bistro Sixteen82 in November 2014. In 2018, she became Executive Chef for Steenberg Farm, managing Bistro Sixteen82 and Catharina’s (later rebranded as Tryn Restaurant). Her work has involved leading teams, refreshing menus, and ensuring the estate’s dining experiences reflect its heritage and innovation.

One of her key achievements was overseeing the transformation of Catharina’s into Tryn Restaurant, which opened in 2019. The process allowed Chef Kerry to align the restaurant’s identity with Steenberg’s evolving vision, creating a modern dining space while honouring the estate’s history.

Inspiration and Approach

Chef Kerry’s culinary philosophy draws on her farm upbringing and professional journey. After earning a Grande Diplôme from Silwood School of Cookery, she worked at prominent restaurants, including La Colombe and The Foodbarn, under Chef Franck Dangereux. Her travel experiences abroad in Thailand, France, and Spain have also shaped her approach, blending global influences with a commitment to seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of Chef Kerry’s work. She was instrumental in Steenberg’s partnership with Abalobi, a program connecting small-scale fishers with chefs to ensure a transparent seafood supply chain.

Key Highlights

During her time at Steenberg, Chef Kerry’s highlights include:
• Spearheading the redesign of Catharina’s into Tryn, creating a contemporary dining experience;
• Establishing Steenberg’s leadership in sustainable seafood practices through the Abalobi initiative;
• Mentoring team members and celebrating their professional growth, fostering a culture of collaboration.

Future Endeavours

As Chef Kerry looks to the future, she plans to:
• Launch Steenberg’s first food truck in 2025, offering a mobile culinary experience;
• Develop creative uses for Steenberg’s new Bedouin tent to host diverse events;
• Showcase lesser-known areas of the estate to provide unique guest experiences.
• And, one day, to pursue her life-long dream of writing a cookbook to share her recipes and culinary journey.

A Personal Reflection

“Reaching this milestone is a moment of reflection and gratitude,” says Chef Kerry. “Steenberg has been a significant part of my life and growth as a chef. The opportunities to innovate, mentor, and collaborate have been deeply rewarding.”

About Steenberg:

Steenberg Farm boasts the 5-Star Steenberg Hotel & Spa, recently named one of the top ten hotels in Africa in Condé Nast’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Its 24 rooms encapsulate the dictum of understated luxury, offering spectacular views and discreet, personalised service. Choose from relaxed dining at Tryn or popular bistro-style fare and tapas at Bistro Sixteen82. A complete destination, the farmhouses are an exceptional winery, producing some of the finest Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa, along with several other celebrated varietals.

The Condé Nast 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards listed the best hotels across the continent, including luxury lodges from big-name brands to boutique boltholes across Northern and Southern Africa. Steenberg’s score of 98.0 represented the overall average level of satisfaction.