SOUTH AFRICAN culinary greats were honoured at the prestigious Luxe Restaurant Awards, which acknowledge the finest contributions to the SA restaurant industry. The winners were announced to an intimate audience of 100 leading industry figures at the trendy Ethos Restaurant in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Those in attendance included celebrated chefs James Gaag, The Lazy Makoti, Siba Mtongana and Wandile Mabaso.
The winners were chosen by a team of anonymous food critics as well as by a popular public digital vote. The panel of judges was convened by Chad Fourie, chief judge of the awards and MD of The Hospitality Counsel.
Overall, 25 winners were announced from a wide and inclusive set of categories that ranged from Culinary Icon of the Year to Street Food Experience of the Year, with the winner of the prestigious Chef of the Year being awarded with an exclusive BMW experience.
WINNERS
- Restaurant of the Year: La Colombe
- Chef of the Year: Wandile Mabaso
- New Restaurant of the Year: Pier
- Style Award: Zioux
- Culinary Icon Award: Siba Mtongana
- Culinary Media Personality of the Year: Cooking with Zanele
- Culinary Innovation Award: Candice Philip
- Culinary Rising Star Award: Besele Moloi
- Sustainability Award: The Test Kitchen Fledgelings
- Service Excellence Award: Basalt
- Pioneer Award: Luke Dale Roberts
- Cookbook of the Year: Hosting with The Lazy Makoti
- African Restaurant of the Year: Emazulwini
- Bistro of the Year: Embarc
- Burger Joint of the Year: BGR
- Café of the Year: Le Parc by Tashas
- Coffee Shop of the Year: Truth Café
- Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: La Petite Colombe
- Hotel Restaurant of the Year: Aurum
- International Restaurant of the Year: Ethos
- Lifestyle Restaurant of the Year: Tang
- Pop Up Experience of the Year: Katlego Mlambo at The Marabi Club
- Steakhouse of the Year: The Blockman
- Street Food Experience of the Year: How Bao Now
- Wine Service Award: Michelle Moller – La Colombe
