Jaco grew up on a wine estate in the Robertson Valley in South Africa . He studied Town & Regional Planning with practicum at West Coast Regional Council in Environmental Protective Development. Following his studies, Jaco moved to London, England where he enjoyed working as a live-in caregiver for seniors and physically challenged clients, before studying Hospitality Management.

Jaco has many years of valuable hotel and food and beverage management experience, working for both international hotels such as Hilton, Marriott and Fairmont, and boutique hotels including Malmaison Hotel, London, the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, North Vancouver and the fabulous Relais & Chateaux Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Vancouver. We are thrilled to have Jaco join the Westerleigh team, to enhance the dining experience for our residents and their guests.

Outside of work, Jaco loves to travel, exploring local cuisines and cultures to destinations including Bali, and back home to Cape Town to visit his family and enjoy the best wines in the world.