Eat Out Johnnie Walker Restaurant Awards 2006

Heralded as the Oscars of the South African restaurant industry, 300 food fans and gourmets from throughout South Africa attended the 'classic elegance' themed awards ceremony held in luxury showroom of Bloomsbury Investment Cars in Cape Town on 26 November. The elegant occasion also marked the launch of the 2007 edition of Eat Out - The Restaurant Guide of South Africa.

Cape Winelands restaurant Terroir scooped the year's most prestigious accolade on the gastronomic calendar, when it was named the Eat Out Johnnie Walker Restaurant of the Year 2006. Chef George Jardine then added to Cape restaurants' list of achievements, when he scooped top honours as the Eat Out Johnnie Walker Chef of the Year 2006.

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award went to one of South Africa's most experienced and well-respected food personalities and founding Eat Out editor, Lannice Snyman, for her tremendous input into the hospitality industry. Eat Out editor Abigail Donnelly describes Snyman as a dedicated SA foodie with divers talents.

And from a wealth of experience to a new kid on the block, a newcomer on the restaurant scene in the truest sense is Mkhanyiseli Kapa, who received the Woolworths TASTE Bursary Award, which recognises young up and coming foodies with great potential who have not yet had the opportunity to realise that potential.

The names of the Eat Out Johnnie Walker Top 10 restaurants in the country were also announced. These are the restaurants that in the opinion of the judges, three highly respected members of the South African hospitality industry, rose above the pack of 16, which had been submitted by national reviewers.

Eat Out Johnnie Walker Top Ten (in alphabetical order)