Chantel Dartnall of Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient was honoured as San Pellegrino Chef of the Year for 2014. Margot Janse of The Tasting Room is the only other woman who has received this award since the introduction of the Eat Out Restaurant awards in 1998. This year, The Tasting Room received the Grolsch Service Excellence Award.
The winners of the Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by associate sponsor Paarl Media, were Eduan Naudé and the late Brian Shalkoff, former owners of Gramadoelas restaurant in Joburg.
The Nederburg Rising Star Award went to Kobus van der Merwe of Oep ve Koep in Paternoster for his promising talent and The Tsogo Sun Wine Service Award for a top sommelier was won by Patson Mathonsi of DW Eleven-13 for his unique and refreshing approach.
The identities of the five anonymous South Africa-based judges, who worked alongside Eat Out Editor and chief judge Abigail Donnelly to determine the winners, were also revealed at the awards ceremony. They are Andy Fenner, Arnold Tanzer, Kate Wilson, Reuben Riffel, and Caro de Waal.
Donnelly said: "It has been an astonishing year to judge restaurants. This is due in part to the many changes that have occurred in the industry, such as chefs moving on to new ventures, thus allowing others to shine. Working together with the panel of judges has been a complete honour as each one of them has brought their enthusiasm, uniqueness and dedication to the table."
Aileen Lamb, GM of Eat Out, said: "These restaurants are the best of the best of the restaurant industry and it's incredible to have 800 guests honour them at the biggest and most magical awards evening yet. Congratulations to all the exceptional winners - it has truly been an excellent year!"
To find out more, go to www.eatout.co.za
