South Africa’s top chefs and restaurants were on full display when the winners of the 2023 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards were announced at a glamorous gala ceremony held at the GrandWest Grand Arena in Cape Town on Sunday, 19 November.
The event showcased not just the pedigree of Mzansi’s eating establishments, but also the skill, care, and talent of the country’s talented chefs. With a mouth-watering menu curated and crafted by an all-female lineup of stellar chefs, the glitzy evening celebrated South Africa’s top restaurants and chefs.
A huge win for the entire industry
“The restaurant industry delivers a significant contribution across several economic touchpoints – including formal and informal employment, marketing, supplier procurement, and property rental. Many people rely on it for their livelihoods, which is why these awards matter.
“When a restaurant or chef or sommelier wins, the industry wins too – and that, in turn, delivers a boost to the food and beverages supply chain as a whole,” said Roy Bagattini, Woolworths Holdings’ Group chief executive officer.
Sweet success for award winner
For chef Motheba Makhetha, sous chef and head pastry chef at the Jordan Restaurant in Stellenbosch, winner of the Eat Out Barry Dessert Award and one of the chefs preparing the menu on the evening, winning was surreal. “Running onto the stage while everyone I look up to and respect is cheering for me was an unbelievable experience,” she said.
Growing up in a family so tied to the food and farming sectors inspired Makhetha’s love for serving people. Her father instilled the importance of working hard and putting your best foot forward, which has served her well.
“This award means so much in so many ways, firstly it makes all the hard days worth it, and secondly I’m so glad to be given this platform not only for me but all chefs across the country,” Makhetha said.
Mzansi’s tops
Eat Out brand custodian Aileen Lamb says, “[51] restaurants were in that elite group of starred restaurants this year, an increase from last year’s 42 and testament to our restaurant industry continuing to evolve and ascend to new heights. What a privilege it was to eat out in 2023!”
La Colombe in Constantia was awarded Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year, with the judges highlighting the establishment as “an institution on South Africa’s fine-dining scene”.
Head chef and co-owner of Salsify at The Roundhouse in Camps Bay, Ryan Cole, was celebrated as both The Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Chef of the Year and Eat Out Birkenstock Chef’s Chef of the Year.
Dr Julienne Fenwick from bestofbothwellness.com and Food For Mzansi’s Manager: Audience and Engagement, Ricardo Silva. Photo: Ricardo Silva 
The Eat Out Woolworths Awards just kicking off. Photo: Ricardo Silva 
Ryan Cole, head chef and co-owner of Salsify at The Roundhouse in Camps Bay, took home the Chef of the Year and Chef’s Chef prize. Photo: Supplied/Eat Out
The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate in Pinetown, eThekwini, took home the Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award. “It is a restaurant that makes conscious decisions about sustainability all the time,” said judges.
A stellar judging team
The star ratings were done by an experienced judging panel headed up by chief judge Abigail Donnelly – the award-winning food writer, critic and recipe author. Abigail worked with fellow judge’s chef Karen Dudley and food activist and cookbook author Mokgadi Itsweng for their second year.
They were joined by Woolworths product development head, Marisa Munroe, the remarkable sommelier, wine judge and founder of Mosi Wines and Spirits Josef Dhafana, and writer, publisher, editor and broadcast personality Herman Lensing.
Click here to see who else were among the star-rated restaurants.
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