Zaza Bertrand is a photographer and yoga teacher, while her partner Olivier Jacobs is a talented mixologist and herbal wizard. They have been a couple for almost twenty years and together, they opened one of the first real cocktail bars
in Ghent, called Jigger’s. Curious to know more about their newer project New Ventures By Jigger's, I took off to Celles for a conversation about their future dreams, favourite plants and of course, rosehip!
First things first: could you introduce yourselves and tell us a little about the different projects you’re working on?
We’re Olivier and Zaza, and we’ve known each other for 18 years. Oh my! We share a wide range of interests and passions, and most of them happen to overlap: hospitality, photography, yoga, a love of nature, good food and drinks, ecology, herbalism, illustration and skateboarding ;)
These shared passions have grown into our two main projects, alongside our two children: Jigger’s, our bar in Ghent, and New Ventures, our permaculture garden — the natural source of the delicious brews and creations we make.
How do you imagine the future of New Ventures, could you share a bit more about your common dream?
We want to keep creating a little paradise of a garden where abundance thrives, while building a community with whom we can share it. Perhaps with a few extra skate ramps and yoga spaces thrown into the mix!
We’re also planning to build a larger processing space, allowing us to transform even more of what grows in the garden. In the near future, we hope to produce our own fruit wines, beers and wild sodas on a larger scale.
"Rosehips are incredibly nutritious and packed with vitamin C, yet they remain surprisingly underrated. All roses are edible, too, as long as they haven’t been treated with pesticides. The rose is such a mythical plant, deeply rooted in centuries of folklore, stories and traditions."
Olivier, do you have a favourite plant? And what’s your take on rosehips?
Choosing a favourite plant is a bit like choosing a favourite drink — it changes from day to day, and from season to season. That said, blackcurrant is definitely one of my favourites. It was actually the very first plant we put in the ground here at New Ventures. It’s incredibly versatile: from the leaves and twigs to the buds and, of course, the berries, every part has its own distinct flavour and medicinal uses. And on top of that, it’s easy to propagate yourself.
Rosehips, on the other hand, are incredibly nutritious and packed with vitamin C, yet they remain surprisingly underrated. All roses are edible, too, as long as they haven’t been treated with pesticides. The rose is such a mythical plant, deeply rooted in centuries of folklore, stories and traditions.
What can people expect from our Rosehip Gathering on October 25th?
A sensory experience and a heartwarming moment of connection, bringing together yoga, delicious food, inspiring stories, nourishing facial treatments and soul drinks celebrating the rosehip. A little moment to slow down, reconnect and savour the beauty of the season.
"Our favourite is the Rosehip Oil Serum: we love its scent, its colour and the beautiful glow it leaves on the skin. Love it!"
What drew you to collaborating with Maiwe? And do you have a favourite product in our range?
Zaza has been using 100% natural skincare for the past 12 years, so naturally, she’s a fan of Maiwe’s beautiful product range. The products are clean and natural, and we love that the brand also supports female communities in Chile. Our favourite is the Rosehip Oil Serum: we love its scent, its colour and the beautiful glow it leaves on the skin. Love it!
