THE 2027 jhp Gourmet Guide® was launched on Monday, 26 October 2026, at a celebratory evening at Strauss & Co in Woodstock, Cape Town. The event honoured South Africa’s 50 Plated fine-dining restaurants, announced the winners of the annual Haute Performance Awards and introduced a new award, Haute Pursuit.
Celebrating The Art of the Plate, where culinary art meets the art of hospitality, the printed and digital guide showcases the chefs, restaurants and industry professionals shaping South Africa’s fine-dining landscape. This year’s edition recognises 21 restaurants at one-Plate, 20 at two-Plates, six at three-Plates and three gold-Plates.
“The jhp Gourmet Guide® is much more than a collection of ratings. It celebrates The Art of the Plate, both the creativity expressed through cuisine and the art of making guests feel genuinely welcome,” says founder and curator Jenny Handley. “Our commitment is to fairness, consistency and the highest standards of culinary recognition, plus offering comprehensive training to elevate skills.”
Since 2016, the Plate ratings have been built on trust, respect and credibility. Restaurants pay nothing to be considered; they are nominated by the public and by the restaurants themselves. Reviews are anonymous and carried out by seasoned professionals, complemented by diner surveys and peer reviews, and they continue throughout the year because consistency is a key criterion. New entries begin at one or two plates, never at three or gold.
The 2027 edition introduces Haute Pursuit, an award recognising South Africa’s outstanding second-in-command chef, the ones waiting in the wings, the future of fine dining in their hands. Restaurants nominate their own candidates, and the winner, who will be announced next year, will earn a place on the jhp Gourmet Guide® Gourmet Tour of Japan in April 2027.
“Supporting chefs are integral to the success of any restaurant, yet their contribution can go unrecognised. They are the next generation of culinary leaders, and we want to celebrate their potential,” says Handley.
The annual Haute Performance Awards celebrate the people, places and philosophies that elevate South Africa’s hospitality industry. This year’s winners are: Haute Programme of Beverages: The FYN Group. Haute Pour Philosophy of Wine: The Belly Group. Haute Property: Boscia at Tswalu. Haute Premium: Bertus Basson. Haute Provenance: Johannes Richter.
Now in its second year of partnership with the jhp Gourmet Guide®, SOSA Ingredients came forward to support the Haute Performance Pastry Chef Award. This year’s winner is Aneekah Bremer of Foxcroft.
A three-year partnership, WWF-SASSI and the jhp Gourmet Guide® continue to champion responsible seafood sourcing through the Green Philosophy Plates, recognising sustainability in both a chef and a restaurant category. The winners are Adél Hughes from Seebamboes in the chef category and FABER in the restaurant category.
The 2027 jhp Gourmet Guide® Awards Auction raised funds for the Haute Pursuit Award. Bidders competed for dining experiences at some of South Africa’s most celebrated tables, as well as rare wines. The online auction with Strauss & Co is currently open and can be accessed here.
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