The Art of Fire: Chef Jean Delport’s Braai-Inspired Dishes Triumph on Great British Menu

Michelin-starred chef Jean Delport of Restaurant Interlude at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens achieved the extraordinary on this year’s Great British Menu, taking not one but two exquisitely crafted dishes through to the final banquet – a rare honour that underscores his creative brilliance and mastery of flavour.

At the heart of Delport’s celebrated dishes was his deep-rooted connection to the braai, the traditional South African open-flame barbecue. Reimagined through the lens of contemporary fine dining, Delport harnessed the elemental drama of fire and smoke to deliver a fish course and main course that were both technically daring and emotionally resonant.

His fish course, “An Ode to Elizabeth…”, was a refined interpretation of Sole Véronique, paying tribute to British culinary icon Elizabeth David. Delicate, elegant, and classically inspired, the dish captured the spirit of David’s writing and legacy, combining nostalgia with modern precision.

The main course, “There and Back Again”, was a bold and soulful African-inspired goat dish, honouring abolitionist Charles Ignatius Sancho. Cooked over an open flame in homage to the braai, the dish was a powerful narrative on heritage and resilience, balancing robust flavour with finesse.

This dual triumph not only places him among one of only two chefs in Great British Menu history to secure two dishes at the banquet, but also highlights a signature style defined by soul, heritage, and innovation.

Set within a 240-acre Grade I listed estate in West Sussex, Restaurant Interlude is no stranger to acclaim. Under Delport’s direction, it holds both a Michelin star and a prestigious Green Michelin Star, awarded for its pioneering sustainability practices and commitment to nature-led dining as well as 3 AA Rosettes. Delport is passionate about working in harmony with the land, drawing inspiration – and much of his produce – directly from the gardens, woodland and surrounding estate.

Now, for a limited time, guests at Interlude will be able to savour a taste of Delport’s Great British Menu creations, as he thoughtfully integrates elements of the banquet-winning dishes into the restaurant’s seasonal tasting menu. It’s an elegant opportunity to experience the flair and finesse that captivated the nation – all within the intimate setting of Leonardslee House.

This milestone marks a defining moment for Jean Delport, whose understated brilliance and dedication to craft continue to shape a compelling voice in modern British cuisine.

About Jean Delport

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Jean trained in the Cape Winelands before moving to the UK to lead Restaurant Interlude at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens. Within a year of opening in 2018, the restaurant earned its first Michelin Star. In 2023, it gained a Green

Michelin Star for sustainability. Jean’s food philosophy is rooted in hyper-seasonality, wild foraging, and using estate-grown ingredients to create deeply narrative, nature-driven menus.

About Restaurant Interlude & Leonardslee House

Set within the 240-acre Leonardslee Gardens estate, Restaurant Interlude offers an immersive tasting menu experience unlike any other, inspired by the woodland, flora, and fauna of its unique location. The restaurant now holds a Michelin Star, a Green Michelin Star, 3 AA Rosettes, and a Five Gold Star Restaurant with Rooms rating for Leonardslee House’s 10 bespoke bedrooms—making it one of the most decorated destinations in the country.

For Reservations and Further Details

Website: www.restaurant-interlude.co.uk

Instagram: @delportjean | @interludesussex

Phone: 0330 123 5894

Media Contact

Laura Hadfield at Wentworth Communications

Email: Laura@Wentworthcommunications.com

Phone: 07786 515149

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Editors notes

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is a family-owned vineyard estate, near Horsham in West Sussex, which features ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’, Grade I Listed, as well as a Michelin Star restaurant and luxury vineyard accommodation.

The 240-acre estate was established by Sir Edmund Loder, the great Victorian plant collector, and now includes a Sussex Wine vineyard, with the first release of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sparkling wine in 2024.

The estate features outstanding displays all year round. In the spring this includes rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells. The collection is exceptional in its diversity and maturity, with several rare ‘champion’ trees, threatened in their natural habitat.

The gardens offer a protected ecosystem for rare wildlife such as Emperor Dragonflies and Damselflies, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak butterflies and migratory and native birds - Kites, Great Tits, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and Nightingales.

The estate reopened in April 2019, following acquisition and two years’ intensive work by entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE to restore the woodland gardens after eight years of closure and neglect under previous ownership. It was the largest garden restoration project in the United Kingdom since Heligan 30 years before.

Since further restoration work in 2021, visitors can also stay in the luxury vineyard hotel after dining at Restaurant Interlude in Leonardslee House, the Grade II Listed Italianate mansion house, to experience the Michelin Star multi-course tasting menu created by chef Jean Delport.

The estate offers a great family day out and is one of the top places to visit in West Sussex. Visitors can view a magical world in miniature at the Beyond the Doll's House exhibition, which depicts the Edwardian estate and neighbouring villages at 1:12 scale. There is also an exciting new 2,500 sq m play park designed to mix recreational play with the natural attractions of the Grade I Listed woodland gardens, and a spectacular winter festival annually when the gardens are illuminated, attracting many thousands of visitors.

For great days out, there is an extensive programme of entertainment that includes winter garden illuminations and light trails, wine and beer festivals, photo and art exhibitions, live music events, cooking and gardening demonstrations, arts and crafts fairs, modelling and toy shows, and children’s events and adventure trails.

Leonardslee Family Vineyards in numbers

· Acquired 2017 · Total Estate 750 acres · 38 Acres of vineyard, 73,000 vines

· 2017 First vines planted · 170 Tonnes of grapes, 2023 harvest · 100,000 bottles annually produced · Sparkling wine cultivars 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier · 2024 First release of wine