JOHN VAN ZYL, private chef and consultant, @john_vanzyl

WHERE? Spain

AFTER LEAVING THALI IN CAPE TOWN,

where I was head chef, I went exploring with my girlfriend, Sage, and we loved what we found in Spain. The country is rated as one of the food capitals of the world on a number of platforms and I agree. San Sebastian is home to the best anchovies in the world – from the Bay of Biscay. They also boast some of the world’s best beef and serve txuleton steak that will make you weep. San Sebastian is also where pintxos (Basque tapas) bars originated and the whole town is just a mouthwatering, sensory overload.

MY ULTIMATE FOOD MOMENT

was at a small bar called Borda Berri. There were no seats and barely enough space to stand but the food was mind-blowing. A stand-out dish was the pork cheek in red wine. We went back for more.

THE MOST INTERESTING FIND TURNED

out to be snails, which I ate in Barcelona. They were braised in red wine and tomato and surprisingly delicious.

I’D LOVE TO GO BACK TO THE

Museo de Jamón in Madrid for the 1 euro beers and 1 euro plates of cured meat.

THE ONE THING I REALLY WANTED TO BUY

was a jamón stand but I didn’t have the luggage space. Next time…

I WAS INSPIRED TO

take a step back, keep it simple and always work with quality ingredients.