About Us
Food with Heart, Crafted with Love.
Welcome to Jean’s Kitchen, a vibrant Middle-Eastern eatery within the University of Cape Town community! Celebrate the rich heritage of Jewish cuisine through our homemade, high-quality food and curated beverages. Indulge in elevated comfort food, crafted with love to nourish both body and soul. Experience the warmth and unforgettable taste at Jean’s Kitchen!
From Faith to Flavor: The Journey of Jean's Kitchen
Janine Davimes’s journey began within the vibrant community of a Jewish church, where her life took an unexpected twist in late 2021. It all started when a fellow member of the congregation approached Janine with an intriguing proposition – the acquisition of Jean’s Kitchen, a charming restaurant at UCT. The idea ignited a spark in Janine’s entrepreneurial spirit, prompting her to tender her three months’ notice at the church’s kitchen with lightning speed. However, the church faced difficulties in finding a suitable replacement for her, compelling Janine to extend her stay by a few more weeks before she could officially step away from the position.
Finally, in March 2022, Janine embarked on her adventure with Jean’s Kitchen, initially dipping her toes into the culinary world with just coffee and muffins. However, her customers (mainly students at the time) demonstrated an uncanny sense of culinary desire, and by the end of the week, delectable falafels made their debut on the menu.
Despite the whirlwind pace at which everything unfolded, Janine’s excitement was palpable as she embraced this new chapter in her life with open arms. As the days turned into months, Jean’s Kitchen continued to flourish, attracting a growing customer-base. Now, they find themselves facing a delightful challenge – the need for a system to streamline their service and reduce waiting times, as this bottleneck is beginning to hinder their sales.
The journey of Janine and Jean’s Kitchen is a testament to the power of passion and dedication, and their future brims with exciting possibilities!
Meet Team 14: Our Website Developers
Team 14 consists of four members: Matthew Jacobs, Trent Graham, Thaakira Yasin, and Holly-May Nowers.
During the final year of their Information Systems undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town, we took on the challenge of developing a website for Jean’s Kitchen. The project not only allowed us to delve into new tools and technologies but also provided an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Working closely with Janine and her dedicated staff members, our team established meaningful connections with various project stakeholders. Regular consultations not only strengthened our understanding of the project requirements but also fostered friendships with the loyal customers at Jean’s Kitchen. The experience proved to be more than just a technical undertaking; it became a journey of collaboration and relationship-building.
Our team’s dedication and hard work were acknowledged when they were honoured as the Top Performing Team at UCT’s School of IT Showcase 2023, securing the First Place award for our Systems Development Project. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support and collaboration with Janine Davimes and her wonderful team. Their insights and feedback were instrumental in shaping the final product.
Gratitude is also extended to our mentors, Dr. Walter Uys, Tichaona Chinyerere, and Qudsiyah Jaffer, whose guidance during our regular meetings proved invaluable. Their mentorship played a crucial role in steering us through challenges and ensuring the success of our project.
We take great pride in our contribution to Jean’s Kitchen and extend our hope that the customers will find as much joy using the platform as we did in developing it. This experience has left an indelible mark on each of us, and we are grateful for the opportunities it provided for growth, learning, and genuine connection.
