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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, Parktown North and Sandton
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 December
This month is all about Christmas and entertaining during the holidays!  Join us in celebrating this holiday season where we have gathered our best shows, full of recipes and entertainment. For more information on show listings and recipe ideas, visit www.foodnetworktv.com

Advent Calendar - Every day at 07.40, 13.05 and 19.20:
Join us as we count down to Christmas with a special treat every day. Our best chefs prepare mouth-watering delicious dishes in the run up to the big day and tackle challenging recipes to get you in the festive mood.
 
Gingerbread Challenge - 19.20 to 23.55 on Friday 2nd December:
Back to back Food Network Challenge all made of America's favourite holiday treat: gingerbread! Gingerbread Championships, Giant Gingerbread, Haunted Gingerbread Houses and Giant Gingerbread – what more could you want!

Paula’s Christmas – 19.20 to 23.55 on Friday 16th December:
Paula Deen shares her family holiday traditions with Paula's Party.

Christmas - December 24th & 25th:
It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially if you like to indulge in delicious holiday treats. Join us for a 48 hour Food Network Holiday Extravaganza!

Also In December, Channel 185
Take a look at some new premieres and other new series on Food Network this month!
•    Paula’s Best Dishes – every day at 08.30, 11.50 and 04.30 from 1st December
•    Kid in a Candy Store – every day at 09.20, 16.25 and 22.40 from 1st December
•    Chopped – every day at 06.00 and 14.45 from 5th December
•    Unique Sweets – a new programme airing every day at 16.50 and 23.05 from 5th December
•    Gourmet Farmer – a new programme airing every day at 09.45, 17.15 and 23.30 from 12th December
•    Last Cake Standing – a new programme airing every day at 12.15, 18.30 and 04.50 from 12th December

Coming Up In January:     
Andy Bates Street Feasts
Watch cheeky UK chef Andy Bates delve into the history of Britain’s most famous dishes and give them a modern ‘street food’ interpretation.  

Andy Bates Street Feasts follows Andy as he travels the UK, stopping off at some of the nation’s most vibrant food destinations.  In each location he zones in on popular local markets, food festivals, events or speciality food producers, cooking with some of the people he meets who share his passion for traditional British fare.

Classic treats such as Scotch Eggs, Chicken and Ham Christmas Pie, Baked Custard and Black Pudding, are all given a contemporary sparkle. Tuck into some British food as Andy shows you how to rediscover these true classics.

Andy Bates Street Feasts starts on Food Network (DStv Channel 185) Monday to Sundays 06.50, 15.35 and 23.05 from 23rd January. Find more recipes from Andy Bates online via www.foodnetworktv.com.

Also In January, Channel 185
Take a look at some new premieres and other new series on Food Network this month!
• New Premiere: Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger – every day at 13.05 from 2nd January
• Grill It! With Bobby Flay – Sundays at 19.20 and 23.55 from 8th January
• Guys Big Bite – every day at 11.25 and 18.05 from 9th January
• Paula’s Best Dishes – every day at 08.30 and 13.55 from 16th January
• Diners, Drive-ins & Dives – every day at 10.35, 22.40 and 04.30 from 23rd January

Coming up in February:
Reza, Spice Prince of India
Take a sensory tour of India with Reza Mahammad, top Indian restaurateur, as he embarks on an unforgettable journey around India’s residences to discover the fascinating traditions of Rajasthan food and royal feasting.

Each episode will feature magnificent palaces, a look into the local gastronomy and chef Reza will offer his own contemporary take on two traditional Indian dishes whilst adding inspiring ideas to complement them.

Reza, Spice Prince of India is a true culinary experience starting on Food Network (DStv Channel 185) Monday to Sundays at 06.50, 18.05 and 11.05pm from Monday 6th February.

Also In February, Channel 185
Take a look at some other new series on Food Network this month!
•    Paula’s Best Dishes – Monday to Sunday 8.30, 16.55, and repeats of the premieres every Wednesday at 19.20
•    Good Eats – Monday to Sunday 11.00, 17.15 and 23.30, from Monday 6th February
•    Aarti Party – Monday to Sunday 11.50 and 16.25, from Monday 6th February, and repeats of the premieres every Thursday at 21.00
•    Chopped – Monday to Sunday 14.45, from Monday 20th February

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