Chef Margot Janse – World-Renowned Simple and Humble Chef

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A world-renowned chef who has always remained simple and humble, Chef Margot Janse states that she is not after fame and recognition in the culinary world, although they are a big plus, but that she is simply after the pleasure of cooking. Right now, the restaurant of which she is the head chef of, Le Quartier Français, moved up six spots from last year. Her culinary skill and artistic presentation brought them to the 31st spot.

Chef Janse was born in The Netherlands, the place where she also grew up in. She first wanted to become an actress and it has always been her dream, so she pursued that career path and went to the Amsterdam Theatre School. However, things did not turn out well for her in that direction, so she followed a very wise advice – to see the world.

So she traveled to “see the world” and ended up in the southernmost part of the Africa. In Johannesburg, she became a photographer as well as a coordinator in a photography school. It was at the age of 23 years old that she came to learn a new craft, a craft where she found her true calling and a craft she fell in love with.

Chef Janse worked as a waitress first, but she wanted to cook. She went to Ciro Molinaro, a known restauranteur in Johannesburg, to train under him. He taught her everything he could, and it was a hard two years of learning the secrets of the culinary world, but the most important lesson he gave Chef Janse was to explore her culinary skill; think outside the box; play with food; and experiment with ingredients, flavors, and textures.

It was in 1995 that she came to Le Quartier Français. The biggest challenge for her was to prove her worth as a young sous chef, especially since the restaurant already has made a big name for itself in South Africa, having won numerous awards and titles. The challenge grew bigger as she was asked to become its head chef not long after she came to the restaurant. Chef Janse spent many a restless and sleepless nights as she found herself facing the biggest challenge in her culinary career. A new career path has opened for her – one that will carry her name, her culinary skill, and her own menu.

She took the challenge and proved that the owner, Susan Huxter, made a very good decision. 15 years after she first set foot in the kitchens of Le Quartier Français, she carved a name for herself in this part of the world as well as in the culinary world. Her exemplary culinary skill has earned her numerous awards, titles, and praises from even some of the best food critics in the world.

Chef Margot Janse’ Molten Chocolate Cakes

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for the ramekins
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cake flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup sugar
4 large whole eggs
4 large egg yolks
Unsweetened cocoa and confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter six 4-ounce ramekins and dust with flour.
In the top of a double boiler, melt the butter with the chocolate. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sugar, whole eggs and egg yolks. Whisk in the flour.
Scrape the batter into the ramekins and bake for 10 minutes, or until the sides of the cake are set, but the center is still slightly loose. Let the cakes cool for 1 minute, then run a thin knife around the sides and invert them onto plates. Dust the cakes with cocoa and confectioners’ sugar and serve.

Serve with Hazelnut Tuiles and ice cream.

Image Credit: dtlux.com

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