Rivendell Restaurant | Thomas Sinn
Rivendell Restaurant’s Chef Thomas Sinn
Thomas Sinn was born in Vienna, Austria and has now settled upon Hermanus as the new owner of Rivendell Restaurant.
Guests and fine food lovers will be wowed by Chef Thomas’s creations which are all made using locally sourced ingredients. There will be marvellous breakfasts served overlooking the vineyards, those look for an unforgettable lunch should look no further.
See what this new local personality had to say to us…
Describe yourself in 3 words…
Energetic, perfectionist and reliable.
My 3 favourite things in the world are…
Good food, spending time with family and friends (also with good food) and travelling.
What made you decide to open and become involved with the Rivendell Restaurant?
Sheer coincidence. I travelled to Austria last year and met an old friend I haven’t seen in 25 years. We worked together in Germany’s first 3 star Michelin restaurant in the 80’s. I tasted my first Rivendell wine in his restaurant. I found out much later that Heimo, the owner of the estate is his good friend and customer. They talked about me, Heimo contacted me when back in S.A. and the rest they say is history, here I am!
If you are not in the kitchen what are you doing?
Gym, yoga, garden, nature, cultural events and listening to music.
The best part of being a chef is and why?
A person can work anywhere in the world and it is a very creative field to be in.
My favourite meal of all time is…
Foie gras, scallops and duck.
I’ve tasted some pretty bad food before, the worst was…
Snail eggs, it was a craze in the 80’s and looked like pink caviar but tasted like marzipan. I’m not too fond of sea urchin either!
What you’ll put in you’ll get out. Treat yourself like you would treat others – with respect.
Hermanus is…
Beautiful!
I love Hermanus in the…
I still need to experience all of the seasons here. I love winter, it is quiet but energizing and I loved the last few days of spring we had.
My favourite place in Hermanus is…
I have only been here for a very short time, I need to explore a bit more. I am already falling in love with it.
I wish I knew then what I do now about…
This is a favourite piece of mine by Jorge Luis Borges, called Instants
If I could live again my life,
In the next – I’ll try,
– to make more mistakes,
I won’t try to be so perfect,
I’ll be more relaxed,
I’ll be more full – than I am now,
In fact, I’ll take fewer things seriously,
I’ll be less hygienic,
I’ll take more risks,
I’ll take more trips,
I’ll watch more sunsets,
I’ll climb more mountains,
I’ll swim more rivers,
I’ll go to more places – I’ve never been,
I’ll eat more ice creams and less beans,
I’ll have more real problems – and less imaginary
ones,
I was one of those people who live
prudent and prolific lives –
each minute of his life,
Off course that I had moments of joy – but,
if I could go back I’ll try to have only good moments,
If you don’t know – that’s what life is made of,
Don’t lose the now!
I was one of those who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer,
without a hot-water bottle,
and without an umbrella and without a parachute,
If I could live again – I will travel light,
If I could live again – I’ll try to work bare feet
at the beginning of spring till
the end of autumn,
I’ll ride more carts,
I’ll watch more sunrises and play with more children,
If I have the life to live – but now I am 85,
– and I know that I am dying …
My best memories are…
Skiing in the Austrian Alps, sipping cocktails and dining on an exotic, tiny, remote island in Indonesia, 3 Michelin Star restaurant dinner in Alsace France with good friends and a romantic dinner at Oyster Box Hotel.
More info on the town of Hermanus |