The Sunday lunch of the year set the scene for the announcement of the winners of the 2015 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards.
The Test Kitchen did it again, taking top honours among South African restaurants as the Restaurant of the Year for the fourth consecutive time. Scot Kirton of La Colombe won the title of Eat Out S.Pellegrino Chef of the Year. Guests were also treated to one of his signature dishes at the awards celebration, which was held at the SunExhibits Centre at GrandWest, Cape Town on Sunday, 15 November.
Franschhoek-based restaurant The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français was recognised for maintaining the highest level of service with the Service Excellence Award for the second year running. The winner of the Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by associate sponsor Novus Holdings, was grande dame of hospitality, the late Liz McGrath.
The Nederburg Rising Star Award went to Carmen Muller of The Tasting Centre at Rupert & Rothschild in Franschhoek for her promising talent, and the Wine Service Award for a top sommelier was won by Lloyd Jusa of Five Hundred at The Saxon in Joburg. Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort received the Boschendal Style Award.
The detailed 2015 winners' list:
Eat Out S.Pellegrino Chef of the Year: Scot Kirton
Restaurant of the Year: The Test Kitchen
Top 10 Restaurants
2. La Colombe
3. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français
4. Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort
5. Five Hundred at The Saxon
6. The Restaurant at Waterkloof
7. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient
8. Terroir
9. The Pot Luck Club
10. Jordan Restaurant
Service Excellence Award: The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français
Nederburg Rising Star: Carmen Muller of The Tasting Centre at Rupert & Rothschild
Wine Service Award: Lloyd Jusa of Five Hundred at The Saxon
Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award (in association with Novus Holdings): Liz McGrath
Boschendal Style Award: Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort
Woolworths TASTE Eat Out Bursary: Charlton de Ruiter
The judges who worked alongside Eat Out Editor and Chief Judge Abigail Donnelly to determine the winners this year were Jackie Cameron, the award-winning former chef at Hartford House and owner of the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine; Benny Masekwameng, MasterChef SA judge and professional chef; and Siba Mtongana, award-winning food writer and celebrity TV chef.
For a full list of the winners go to www.eatout.co.za
