Renowned for its Michelin-style cuisine and fine dining, Majeka House has christened its popular restaurant ‘Makaron’.

To celebrate the naming and Valentines, Michelin chef, Aurélien Gransagne alongside Makaron’s head chef Anri Diener, will be resident at this five-star luxury country house for a full week in February, preparing and serving gastronomic delights to romantic diners.

Hailing from the popular Michelin-graded L’Espérance Restaurant in Saint Père Sous Vézelay, Burgundy, Chef Aurélien will be at Makaron to tantalise diners from 7-15 February, 2011. Renowned for his style of cooking simply with the finest ingredients, this is Chef Aurélien’s second visit to Majeka House and Stellenbosch.

Well loved for local ingredients prepared in the French style of cooking, Makaron will play host to a week-long dining celebration and showcase Michelin dishes, paired with local wines. Says Anri, “The menu has been specially designed for Makaron, and not just for Valentine’s Day but for the entire week. It will be a five-course meal, with two starters served – possibly prawn and fresh seasonal fish – followed by a main course of traditional pigeon or free-range poussin and watercress jus, and dessert of exotic pink banana with ginger cream and chilli roasted pineapple.”

There will be a special main course for vegetarians too, and palate cleansers in between courses. Anri emphasises that all dishes will be prepared using only local ingredients – nothing will be imported – though Chef Aurélien may possibly tweak the menu slightly when he arrives in South Africa in early February.

Carefully selected wine estates within the Stellenbosch region will partner with Majeka House during the week, and include Dalla Cia, Dornier, Warwick, Villiera and Vriesenhof adding extra depth to the dining experience. Just 30 people can be accommodated for dinner each evening, making this both an exclusive and memorable dining experience, priced at R500 per person for dinner.

Makaron is named to honour Majeka co-owner Karine’s mother Marie-Paule and her son Luka. “And we added the ‘ron’ because in France Michelin restaurants are not mentioned according to stars but by ‘macaron’,” says Karine. The restaurant’s name has thought and depth behind it, much like the decadent cuisine it serves to a committed following of fine food lovers from around the world. Makaron celebrates the good life and all things fabulous about food.

Majeka House is located at 26-32 Houtkapper Street, Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch. For reservations or further information call Majeka House and Makaron on (27) (21) 880 1549; email [email protected];