Johannes Richter, the Durban-based chef named Eat Out Chef of the Year in 2025 and 2026, is launching a seasonal residency at Ellerman House in Cape Town. According to Daily Maverick, the arrangement runs from December 2026 through May 2027, transforming the historic venue’s Curate restaurant into Curate by The LivingRoom. Richter confirmed that his flagship establishment, The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate in Durban, will remain open and unchanged during this period. The publication clarified that this is a temporary residency rather than a permanent relocation or the opening of a new permanent branch in the Western Cape.

Richter will split his time between the two locations, maintaining oversight of both kitchens. At the Cape venue, he will work alongside Akhona Dukwana, who has served as head chef at The LivingRoom for eight years and will take charge of the Curate kitchen. Johanna Richter, Johannes’s wife and the co-owner of the Durban restaurant, will manage service and train the front-of-house team at Ellerman House. Joe Beziek, identified as South Africa’s Best Young Sommelier 2026, will lead the wine program at the Cape location, utilizing the hotel’s collection of approximately 10,000 bottles. Meanwhile, Luckson Mare will assume command of the kitchen at The LivingRoom in Durban under Johannes Richter’s continued supervision.

The culinary approach at the residency will mirror the sustainability principles established at the Durban restaurant. Daily Maverick reported that Richter has already begun sourcing ingredients from local Cape producers. The menu will exclude wild-caught seafood and focus on seasonal, hyper-local produce. Richter told the publication that the residency allows for a broader ingredient palette than his Durban operations, which source 95% of their supplies within a 100km radius. He noted that the timing aligned with a desire to grow and provide career advancement opportunities for his younger chefs.

Ellerman House, a historic property in Bantry Bay, has long hosted high-end dining. The current restaurant, Curate, opened in 2025 and is situated in the Wine Gallery, an immersive space featuring art by South African creators. The Richters expressed pride in partnering with a venue that celebrates South African hospitality and supports local charitable work. Reservations for the residency are managed through DinePlan, with the hotel noting that parking is limited and recommending ride-sharing services for guests.