2009 Prudential Eat Out Restaurant Awards toasts the culinary industry

The 2009 Prudential Eat Out Restaurant Awards has brought a new menu of South Africa’s top restaurants and chefs into the spotlight. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the awards – giving the culinary industry even more reason to celebrate as they prepare for the upcoming summer season. Also launched on the evening was the 2010 issue of Eat Out magazine, published by New Media Publishing.

Chantel Dartnall from Mosaic Restaurant in Pretoria was crowned 2009 Prudential Eat Out Chef of the Year. This is the first time that Dartnall, with an all-woman team in the kitchen, has been honoured with this particular award. Recognised for her French finesse, Dartnall adds her personal touch in every aspect of the restaurant – from her passion for the tastes and textures of decadent ingredients to her love for beautiful crockery.

La Colombe has been renamed Prudential Eat Out Restaurant of the Year in 2009 – lead by chef Luke Dale-Roberts who has captivated the judges for the second consecutive year. Dale-Roberts went beyond the seasonal menu by raising the bar even higher with his conceptual Elements menu. The menu draws on inspiration from La Colombe’s breathtaking surroundings like the Tokai forest.

Eat Out editor Abigail Donnelly also announced the 2009 Prudential Eat Out Restaurant Awards’ Top 10 restaurants at the glittering event on 22 November, an event that has become the highlight of the culinary calendar. Newly established restaurants were clearly recognised as lifting this year’s standard. Says Donnelly, “This year had the most gruelling judging process by far – it was very difficult for the judges to reach a consensus and there was fierce competition for each position in the list of top 10. It was definitely the newcomers to the industry who have set the pace for an exciting gastronomic year ahead.”

The Prudential Eat Out Top 10 Restaurants are [in order]:

1.      La Colombe, Cape Town
2.      Mosaic Restaurant, Pretoria
3.      Rust en Vrede Restaurant, Stellenbosch
4.      Terroir, Stellenbosch
5.      The Roundhouse Restaurant, Cape Town [new]
6.      The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Franschhoek [new]
7.      The Greenhouse at the Cellars-Hohenort, Cape Town [new]
8.      Roots, Johannesburg
9.      9th Avenue Bistro, Durban
10.  Overture, Stellenbosch and The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek

Tenth position was awarded to both Overture and The Tasting Room. “Although the rivalry among the top restaurants was fierce, we had to include both of these culinary gems. Each offers a unique dining experience in cooking techniques, menu composition and philosophy,” explains Donnelly. While Overture has mind-blowing views and unique fresh flavours and combinations with a daily menu, The Tasting Room uses adventurous flavours with local ingredients and interesting plating in a contemporary space.

The coveted Service Award went to Rust en Vrede Restaurant. The restaurant’s service is about caring and hospitality and it’s obvious that training of the highest caliber is of absolute importance.

Prudential Portfolio Managers are proud to again be associated with this prestigious award.  Says Bernard Fick, Head of Institutional Business at Prudential:  “We applaud all South Africa’s top chefs, their support staff and servicing teams.  In 2010 South Africa will be hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world.  Our restaurants will serve, entertain and undoubtedly impress these visitors and will make a significant positive impact on visitors’ perceptions of South Africa as a destination of choice.”

For the first time, Donnelly has awarded two Editor’s Choice awards. These awards honour different, accessible dining experiences. Best Bistro went to Bizerca Bistro, where chef and owner Laurent Deslandes showcases classic and seasonal dishes with bold but never overcomplicated flavours. Best Country Kitchen was awarded to Mariana’s Home Deli & Bistro. Mariana Esterhuizen is known for her nostalgia-invoking dishes that are made with care and generosity in her own corner of country heaven.

The 2010 edition of Eat Out hits the shelves on 23 November 2009 and will feature 1 001 of the best restaurants in the country – from fabulously fancy to cool and casual. The issue toasts the chefs and restaurants that take their patrons on culinary journeys. Of the 1 001 reviews, 330 are new restaurants that have not been featured in the magazine before.

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