As the year draws to a close, food lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and chefs alike are gearing up for the highly anticipated 2023 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards. This annual event is a momentous occasion in South Africa’s culinary calendar, where the crème de la crème of the restaurant industry is celebrated and acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to the world of gastronomy.
Scheduled to take place on the 19th of November 2023, at the Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town, the awards ceremony promises an evening of glitz, glamour, and, most importantly, the revelation of the prestigious list of restaurants that will receive coveted stars. These stars, ranging from one to three, are a testament to the culinary excellence and innovation that South Africa’s diverse restaurant scene has to offer.
The Western Cape, known for its picturesque landscapes and thriving food culture, is prominently featured in this year’s nominations with a list of 40 exceptional restaurants.
Here are the list 40 nominees in the Western Cape:
The Western Cape boasts a remarkable culinary landscape with its 40 diverse nominees. These include ARKESTE, Belly of the Beast, Beyond, Cavalli Restaurant, Chefs Warehouse at Maison, Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia, CHORUS, Creation Wines Tasting Room, Dusk, Eike, ëlgr, Epice, FABER at Avondale, Farro, Foxcroft, FYN, Le coin Français, La Colombe, La Petite Colombe, Madre Stanford, Orangerie at Le Lude, Ouzeri, PIER, Post & Pepper, Protégé, Rust en Vrede, Rykaart’s, Salon, Salsify at The Roundhouse, Séjour, Spek & Bone, Table at De Meye, The Jordan Restaurant, The Melting Pot, The Pot Luck Club Cape Town, The Red Room by Chefs Warehouse, The Test Kitchen Fledgelings, The Waterside Restaurant, Upper Union, and Wolfgat. These establishments collectively contribute to the Western Cape’s reputation as a culinary hub, offering a wide array of flavours and culinary experiences that cater to food enthusiasts from around the world.
What sets this year apart is the transparency in the judging process. The panel of judges, including the accomplished chef Karen Dudley, food activist and cookbook author Mokgadi Itsweng, Woolworths Head of Product: Food Business Development Marisa Munroe, sommelier and wine judge Joseph Dhafana, and writer and broadcast personality Herman Lensing, along with the chief judge Abigail Donnelly, have not remained anonymous. This transparency aims to provide a broader perspective and better representation of the diverse culinary excellence South Africa has to offer.
Melissa Cumming, the head of Eat Out, emphasizes the inclusivity of the star-rating format, which was introduced last year. She mentions that each restaurant on the star-rating shortlist has already achieved a significant feat by scoring a minimum of 70 points. The meticulous criteria include evaluating service, ambience, menu, ingredient utilization, culinary techniques, presentation, beverages, brand promise, perceived value, and overall consistency. Over 90 restaurants underwent evaluation by the judges, using Eat Out’s online rating tool.
For the second year running, Woolworths Food takes pride in being the title sponsor of the prestigious event. Zyda Rylands, CEO of Woolworths Food, acknowledges the resilience and innovation demonstrated by chefs and restaurant owners in the face of unprecedented challenges over the past few years. Woolworths Food is honored to contribute to recognizing, appreciating, and celebrating culinary brilliance in South Africa.
The awards ceremony itself promises to be a grand affair, where South Africa’s top restaurants will be announced based on the star-rating system. Restaurants that score between 70 and 80 will be awarded one star, those scoring 80 to 90 will receive two stars, and those scoring 90 and above will be honoured with three stars. The highly coveted Restaurant of the Year title will be awarded to the establishment with the highest score.
In addition to star ratings, the ceremony will also showcase a range of Special Awards, including the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year, Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Chef of the Year, Eat Out Woolworths Wine Service Award, Eat Out Highland Park Rising Star Award, Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Service Excellence Award, Eat Out Valpré Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award, Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award, Eat Out Lexus Style Award, Eat Out Best Destination Restaurant, and Eat Out Retail Capital Best New Restaurant Award.
A notable return to this year’s awards is the Eat Out Chefs’ Chef Award, which highlights the respect and recognition chefs receive from their peers within the industry. This prestigious accolade underscores not only culinary achievements but also the role of recipients as sources of inspiration and leadership within the restaurant community.
Exciting new additions to the Special Awards category include the Eat Out Cacao Barry Dessert Award, Eat Out Patron Mixology Award, and Eat Out Woolworths Trailblazer Award.
As the culinary world counts down the days to the 2023 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. It’s a celebration of the dedication, passion, and artistry that chefs and restaurateurs bring to the table, enriching South Africa’s vibrant culinary landscape year after year. Stay tuned for the grand reveal of the star-rated restaurants and the winners of the Special Awards, as we celebrate the finest in South African dining on the 19 November, 2023.
