A Michelin moment in Cape Town: Salsify x Phil Howard

There are collabs… and then there are once-in-a-lifetime kitchen reunions that food lovers dream about. And this one? It’s big.

Chef Phil Howard, the Michelin-starred talent behind Elystan Street in London, is flying into Cape Town to join forces with Chef Ryan Cole at Salsify at the Roundhouse for two exclusive nights: 25 and 26 April. Together, they’ll be cooking up an eight-course tasting menu that celebrates exceptional ingredients, skill, and a shared culinary story that began years ago in London.

This isn’t just a flashy four-hands dinner. It’s a full-circle moment.

Chef Ryan once worked under Phil at the legendary The Square, then a two-Michelin-starred cornerstone of British fine dining. Years later, Ryan’s journey brought him home to Cape Town, where he’s become one of SA’s most exciting chefs, now leading the charge at Salsify, collecting much acclaim, voted Restaurant of the Year at the Eat Out Woolworths Awards.

"Collaborating with Phil is a deeply meaningful experience for me. It's a chance to celebrate the journey, the lessons learned, and the shared love for creating exceptional food," says Ryan.

Chef Phil Howard's culinary legacy is the stuff of foodie folklore. From starting out at Roux Restaurants in the late 1980s to earning and maintaining two Michelin stars at The Square for 17 years, his reputation is one of elegance, depth, and honest flavours, always putting the ingredient first.

Dishes from Elystan Street. Picture:Supplied

Salsify Baked fish, potato and leek. Picture: Jan Ras

Elystan Street, chocolate dessert. Picture: Supplied

"I am very excited to be returning to my homeland to cook with Ryan. Later life is about completing circles, and this will be a fantastic opportunity to go back to my childhood roots and cook up a storm in a restaurant that is clearly at the top of its game,” says Phil.

Phil recognised not only Ryan’s growth, but also the evolution of South Africa’s culinary scene and he’s excited to experience it in a bigger, more vibrant way.

This collaboration also marks the kick-off of the 2025 Salsify & Friends series, which will take the team global this year. Upcoming events include:

• 7 – 8 July: Chef Ryan will guest chef at Aji Akokomi’s Akoko in London, celebrating West African cuisine.

• 17 – 19 July: Chef Gaggan Anand (yes, that Gaggan) from Bangkok’s progressive Indian restaurant Gaggan will host two dinners at COY.

• 22 – 23 August: Chef Margot Janse returns to local soil from the Netherlands - Saam restaurant

The need to knows:

• Dates: 25 and 26 April (Dinner only)

• Cost: R2 495 per person

• Wine pairing: Optional at R1 890

• Bookings: salsify.co.za/reservations, via Dineplan, or call +27 21 010 6444.