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Eat out awards winners 2011


At a glittering awards ceremony held at the Rotunda at the Bay Hotel, we announced the winners of the 2011 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards and the prestigious Top 10 restaurants.

Restaurants are judged on food, service and ambience, as well as other aspects that make or break the eating out experience. This year we also included a host of new categories, making these the most extensive culinary awards in South Africa. Without further ado, here are the winners:
 
Chef of the year: Luke Dale-Roberts
Restaurant of the year: The Greenhouse
Service Excellence Award: The Roundhouse
 
Best Bistro: Bizerca Bistro
Best Steakhouse: The Local Grill in Boksburg and Parktown North
Best Country Style Restaurant: The Table at De Meye
Best Asian Restaurant: Kitima
Best Italian Restaurant: 95 Keerom
The City Press ViP Sunday Breakfast Award: Salvation Café
The Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award, brought to you by Paarl Media: Garth Stroebel
The Boschendal Style Award: Makaron
Woolworths TASTE Bursary winner: Zahir Isaacs

Eat out top 10 2011


The Greenhouse The Greenhouse
International, African
The Greenhouse
Cape Town (Western Cape)
The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale-Roberts The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale-Roberts
Tapas, Contemporary, Fusion
The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale-Roberts
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français  Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français 
Contemporary
Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français 
Franschhoek (Western Cape)
The Roundhouse  The Roundhouse 
Contemporary, French
The Roundhouse 
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Overture Overture
Contemporary, Mediterranean, South African
Overture
Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
Terroir Terroir
Bistro, French
Terroir
Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
DW Eleven-13 DW Eleven-13
Contemporary, International
DW Eleven-13
Johannesburg (Gauteng)
Jordan Restaurant Jordan Restaurant
Bistro
Jordan Restaurant
Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
Nobu  Nobu 
Sushi, Japanese
Nobu 
Cape Town (Western Cape)
La Colombe  La Colombe 
Fusion, Asian, French
La Colombe 
Cape Town (Western Cape)

20 Nominees 2011


Azure Azure
Seafood, Grills, Contemporary, International, Mediterranean, South African
Azure
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Babel Babel
South African
Babel
Simondium (Western Cape)
Bosman's Restaurant  Bosman's Restaurant 
Contemporary, French
Bosman's Restaurant 
Paarl (Western Cape)
DW Eleven-13 DW Eleven-13
Contemporary, International
DW Eleven-13
Johannesburg (Gauteng)
The Restaurant at Grande Provence The Restaurant at Grande Provence
Contemporary, French, South African
The Restaurant at Grande Provence
Franschhoek (Western Cape)
The Greenhouse The Greenhouse
International, African
The Greenhouse
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Hartford House  Hartford House 
Fusion, International, French
Hartford House 
Mooi River (KwaZulu-Natal)
Jordan Restaurant Jordan Restaurant
Bistro
Jordan Restaurant
Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
La Colombe  La Colombe 
Fusion, Asian, French
La Colombe 
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient
Contemporary
Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient
Pretoria (Gauteng)
Nobu  Nobu 
Sushi, Japanese
Nobu 
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Overture Overture
Contemporary, Mediterranean, South African
Overture
Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
Pierneef à La Motte Pierneef à La Motte
Light meals, Grills, South African
Pierneef à La Motte
Franschhoek (Western Cape)
Planet Restaurant at the Mount Nelson Planet Restaurant at the Mount Nelson
Contemporary, South African
Planet Restaurant at the Mount Nelson
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Roots Roots
Contemporary, International
Roots
Krugersdorp (Gauteng)
The Roundhouse  The Roundhouse 
Contemporary, French
The Roundhouse 
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français  Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français 
Contemporary
Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français 
Franschhoek (Western Cape)
Terroir Terroir
Bistro, French
Terroir
Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale-Roberts The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale-Roberts
Tapas, Contemporary, Fusion
The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale-Roberts
Cape Town (Western Cape)
Tokara Tokara
Contemporary
Tokara
Stellenbosch (Western Cape)

2011 Judging


One judge – a multitude of voices

Our dedicated team of professional reviewers has sampled aperitifs, sipped soups and devoured desserts all across the country, to bring us reviews of the best restaurants in their area. Their knowledge and expertise have helped to inform judge Abigail Donnelly’s shortlist.
 
This year, we also felt it was about time to include the voices of our audience. Everything we do is informed by our network of national food critics, as well as our (very vocal) online users, who consistently deliver feedback about their dining adventures throughout the year. 
 
As such, with the input from the entire Eat Out community, Abigail Donnelly drew up a list of 20 nominees. Each nominee had to adhere to the following guidelines: 
 
• The establishment must have been open and 
operating since November 2010, i.e. for a full year.  
• The owners and chef should show an absolute 
passion for their business.
• Dedication to uplifting the industry should be displayed.
• Chefs should care about sourcing quality produce. 
• Consistency and excellence must shine through every aspect of the business. 
 
For months after drawing up the list, Abigail eats at each of these 20 restaurants. She scores them on food, service and ambience, taking into account a multitude of aspects that make the eating out experience a showstopper.

 

Judging criteria:
Restaurants must have been open, with the same head chef, for a period of one year to be eligible for the Top 10. They are judged on a scorecard out of 100, on the following criteria:

Food /70
Which includes:
Menu composition and seasonality /15 – choice, cooking techniques, dietary requirements, local ingredients, choice of fish, out-of-season ingredients
Presentation /15 – visual appeal, fits description, use of plate, garnishes
Taste /25 – execution of dish, balanced, flavours complimentary, texture
Wine /10 – choice, other beverages offered, staff knowledge, pairing and value for money
Value for money /5
 
Service /20 – reservation, arrival, staff attitude and knowledge, specials, wine matching, dietary requirements, extra mile, billing
Ambience /10 – comfort level, cleanliness, cutlery, music and bathrooms.
ABIGAIL DONNELLY is the editor of Eat Out and food editor of Woolworths TASTE. Her accolades include winning the Galliova Award for best food writer four times. Her free time is spent with husband Terry (who cooks every night) and their two boys Jack and Matthew.
 

Eat out review team 2011


Our dedicated team of reviewers has made their way through everything from the aperitif to dessert all across the country, to bring us news of the best restaurants in their area. This year, our reviewers are:

• Janine Walker
• Hennie Fisher
• Diane de Beer
• Frank Chemaly
• Tracy Gielink
• Annette Klinger
• Greg Landman
• Graham Howe
• Clifford & Maryke Roberts
• Dax Villanueva
• Andy Fenner
• Fiona McDonald
• Richard Holmes
• Charlotte Pregnolato
• Colette du Plessis
• Kate Ziervogel
• Shirley Jones
• Sue Maclennan
• Lisa van Aswegen

Boschendal Style Award

 
What defines a stylish restaurant?
 
The ambience of a restaurant needs to be taken into account when choosing where to eat. You need to feel that you belong. 
 
Stylish need not equal award-winning design. It is all about the different elements coming together to create an aesthetically stylish whole. Comfy chairs are a start, and so are the music and the lighting - all of which shouldn't be too hard or too soft. By the same t oken, good-looking crockery and well polished wine glasses should also be taken into consideration.
 
It's also about excelling in quality - a standard that fits snug in a particular style of restaurant, whether it offers a luxuriously rustic ambience or a beautiful 5 star view. Lastly, design is key - from glamorous to off-beat, classic elegance to sophisticated urban chic. 
 
In 2011, we announced a brand new award at the Eat Out Awards. The Boschendal Style Award recognises the most stylish restaurant in the country. In the past couple of months we've featured a host of nominees on our site, boasting everything from cutting edge contemporary design, to sumptuous vintage interiors. The winner of the Boschendal Style Award was announced at the 2012 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards on the 20th November. Without further ado, here is the winner, and the four runners up.
 
La Colombe  

2011 WINNER OF THE BOSCHENDAL STYLE AWARD AT THE EAT OUT DSTV FOOD NETWORK RESTAURANT AWARDS

Makaron
And the four runners up, in alphabetical order:
 

Babel                                        Hemelhuijs                               Kream                                       The Test Kitchen

DStv & Food Network, sponsors of the Eat Out Restaurant awards

Food Network is available 24/7 to all DStv Premium and Compact subscribers on Channel 185 and offers a combination of credible cooking, new culinary ideas and high-energy entertainment to inspire foodies and non-foodies alike.

Coming Up in March
New Programmes…
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Meat & Potatoes – New Programme - from March 5th, every day at 14:20, 18:05 & 22:40
This programme is rated 'M' for Meat! Rahm Fama, a chef and meat enthusiast originally from New Mexico, combs the USA for the choicest cuts. He obsesses over meat with fellow chefs, local foodies, and passionate chowhounds across the United States and uncovers the most mouth-watering meats and the side dishes that so perfectly complete them.

New Seasons…
Paula's Best Dishes - New Season - from March 12th, every day at 08:30 & 13:55
Paula Deen is cooking up something new as she rescues viewer recipes, shares stories and traditions with friends and strangers alike, and learns the secrets of some of America's best cooks.

Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger - New Season - from March 2nd, every day at 08:05 & 13:05
Nutritionist and author Ellie Krieger shows you how simple it can be to stay on the healthy track no matter how busy and stressful your life is.

Coming Up in April

Easter Delights - Friday, 6 April – Monday, 9 April
Throughout Easter weekend, Food Network will serve seasonal delights and take a peek into what makes this autumn holiday such a culinary treat. 

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Have Cake, Will Travel - New Programme - from 23rd, every day at 13:30 & 18:05
Follow Ashley Vicos, the reigning queen of the cake decorating world, as she leads her motley crew of assistants around the United States, creating jaw-dropping, three-dimensional cakes for every type of event imaginable.

Dessert First with Anne Thornton - New Programme - from 2nd, every day at 08:05, 13:05, 17:40 & 03:15, and then Season 2  from 7th, every day at 08:05, 13:05, 17:40 & 03:15    
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New Season…
Aarti Party - New Season - from 16th, every day at 11:50 & 16:50
Aarti Sequeira is back for an all-new season of Aarti Party, where she shares easy and delicious ways to enhance American favourites with simple but unique Indian influences.

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