Eat Out Awards responds to Restaurant Mosaic and The Test Kitchen's withdrawal
The Eat Out Restaurant Awards has responded to the withdrawal of two of the country's leading restaurants.
Chefs Chantel Dartnall and Luke Dale-Roberts, of Restaurant Mosaic and The Test Kitchen respectively, said they would no longer participate in the annual awards programme as they want to make space for the next generation of younger chefs.
A model that embraces more of the industry
In response, New Media MD Aileen Lamb says: “We respect and agree with the sentiment behind the announcements by both chefs and we appreciate that they value Eat Out sufficiently to take the action they have. We’re in contact with both chefs as their support of Eat Out over many years has been significant, and we wish to work together with them and other stakeholders to grow and develop the industry, and ensure the awards system is fair, inclusive and primed for growth.
Aileen Lamb
“Eat Out has evolved constantly over its 21 years of existence, driven by continuous feedback from the top chefs and restaurants, media, the industry at large and international trends. We continue to look for ways to improve all the time. Two years ago, we broadened the scope of the honours to include a top 20, not just a top 10, and we announced a short list of 30 nominees, allowing us to honour many more chefs than before. In 2013, we introduced a Rising Stars award that celebrates the next generation of chefs.
“Even earlier in Eat Out’s evolution, we had a roll of honour for restaurants that had appeared on the Top 10 list more than once, to free up space on the list to allow new talent to shine.
“We remain ready to collaborate and to listen to the industry. Over the last six months, we have researched local awards models and been in conference with several international awards bodies to ensure we make decisions that are primed for the growth of the whole industry. We’ve evaluated their successes – and failings – to arrive at a suitable local and inclusive model that gives chefs and restaurants the honour they deserve. The goal is a model that embraces more of the industry, celebrates and encourages innovation, and acknowledges excellence without ranking it in numbers.
“This will form the basis of our new awards model. We have almost completed our criteria and mechanism modelling, which will go out to the industry in the coming months for broader input.
Fast-tracking adjustments
“The announcements from chefs Chantel Dartnall and Luke Dale-Roberts have fast-tracked this process and we will be launching feedback sessions and an inclusive process with the industry over the next two months. This starts today with a survey that has been sent to all restaurants in SA. Our aim is to announce the new model early in 2020 as we begin judging for the new year.
“A critical element of the awards, which will be retained in the new model, is that they are not based on restaurants entering, being nominated or paying to be included. The awards echo international systems that use anonymous judges, who visit unannounced and pay for themselves in full.
“There have also been comments made about the awards focusing on South African cuisine only, which is an inaccuracy Eat Out wishes to clear immediately. The awards are in no way focused on restaurants that serve predominantly South African cuisine, as you can see from this year’s list of top 30 restaurants whose menus reflect any number of global influences. While Eat Out is proudly South African, the judging criteria for the awards rest on innovation, creativity and excellence – no matter what the cuisine.”
“Our aim is to be as inclusive and supportive of excellence as possible. We will continue on this journey with the industry we are so passionate about, and we invite and encourage direct feedback and collaboration to ensure Eat Out continues to shine a light on the very best talent South Africa has to offer. A structured industry outreach is planned for early 2020 but comments can be sent now to or .”
