The Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Chef of the Year Special Award recognises exceptional culinary leadership within South Africa’s restaurant industry. Set to be announced at the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards on 23 March 2026, this accolade honours a leading culinary voice who not only excels in the culinary arts but also makes a positive impact on the broader restaurant industry in South Africa. They demonstrate a high degree of creativity and display a passion for driving the local food scene forward. 

The impact of recognition
Johannes Richter, executive chef at Eat Out three-star restaurant The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate and previous Chef of the Year winner, understands the profound impact such recognition can have. “When we first started The LivingRoom, it really was in baby shoes, and there were many moments where people didn’t believe the concept would work, or even that it should exist. Winning Chef of the Year felt less like a personal accolade and more like recognition of a long journey as a team – years of hard work, growth and staying true to a cause that matters deeply to us,” the chef explains.  

“That cause has always been about giving South African fine dining its own identity – one that’s rooted, honest and reflective of where we come from, rather than borrowed or trend-driven. To see that acknowledged on such a respected platform was incredibly meaningful; not just for me, but for the entire team who has carried that vision alongside me.” 

Johannes emphasises how these awards shape industry standards: “Awards like this help benchmark what the industry values. They set the tone for hard work, consistency and pioneering thinking. The chefs who receive them are often seen as role models or pioneers, and that inevitably helps shape the direction the industry moves in.” 

“For younger chefs, it creates something tangible to aspire to. It shows that there is recognition for committing to an idea, for contributing meaningfully to the broader food conversation and for doing the work properly. In that way, awards don’t just celebrate the present – they help influence the future,” Johannes continues. 

 

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A vision for tomorrow
The award represents more than individual recognition – it honours achievement within the industry and fosters a forward-looking vision for South Africa’s restaurant scene. As the culinary landscape continues to mature, this award ensures that those driving meaningful change receive the acknowledgment they deserve, while inspiring others to pursue excellence with authenticity and purpose. 

“This award represents Eat Out’s commitment to celebrating South African culinary talent and recognising the chefs who are actively shaping what lies ahead for our food landscape. It’s about acknowledging innovation while inspiring the next generation of culinary leaders to tell authentically South African stories through their cooking,” says Kylie Chevallier, Head of Sponsorship for Eat Out. 

A final word
Johannes offers this for emerging culinary talent: “I don’t think there’s any single piece of advice that would have made my journey easier. There are certain stages of growth you simply have to go through yourself – learning by doing, by failing, by succeeding and by figuring things out in real time.” 

“One thing I still work on every day, though, is patience – with myself and with my team. Fairness has always been central to how we operate, but patience is something I’m still learning to master. Growth takes time, both personally and professionally, and understanding that earlier might not have shortened the journey, but it certainly would have made it gentler.”