Greenhouse's Leigh-Ann Knipe redefines daytime dining

Head chef's aim is to make every lunch an experience

- By Mbalenhle Zuma [e-mail]

The Greenhouse has always been a favourite for Joburg diners seeking sun-drenched lunches, leafy corners and the gentle luxury of a long, unhurried meal. But under the leadership of newly appointed head chef Leigh-Ann Knipe, the restaurant is entering a sophisticated new era, one that marries freshness with finesse, comfort with curiosity, and South African seasonality with global sensibility.

Knipe, whose culinary résumé includes acclaimed kitchens such as Overture, Mosaic, Ethos and Proud Mary, steps into her role with both confidence and humility. Her vision is deceptively simple: to create food that is honest, ingredient-driven and quietly refined. Yet, the execution is anything but ordinary.

One of her priorities was to reimagine how guests interact with the menu. Instead of rigid courses, The Greenhouse now invites diners to explore, mix a salad with a small pasta, pair sushi with grilled wings, or linger over two or three light dishes in true “slow luxury” style.

“We wanted something playful,” she says. “Food that feels good. Food you can enjoy with friends or during a relaxed corporate lunch, nothing heavy, nothing overwhelming.”