Cape Town’s renowned Baxter Theatre was the place to be as restaurateurs and chefs from across the country gathered to celebrate culinary excellence at this year’s annual Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards evening.
With the dress code specifically stating “Black Tie” those in attendance made sure to put their best foot forward as they dazzled in some of the most stylish tuxedos and beautiful gowns as the backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain set the tone for an evening of bliss and celebrations.
Speaking on the magnitude of the event was Roy Bagattini, Woolworths Holdings Group CEO, who said that at Woolworths, they are committed to innovation, sustainability, and sourcing the finest ingredients which go beyond what’s on the plate. He explained that it’s about fostering a thriving, responsible food industry.
“The Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards celebrate the visionaries shaping the future of dining in South Africa, from chefs pushing creative boundaries to those leading the way in ethical and sustainable practices. We are particularly proud of the Green Star award, which recognises restaurants setting new standards for sustainability in the industry. These awards highlight the passion and dedication of those who inspire us all to elevate food culture while making a lasting impact.”
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Meanwhile, it was further revealed that the 2025 judging process was more comprehensive and transparent than that of previous years. This meant that over the last eight months, eight anonymous and independent judges visited the shortlisted restaurants on numerous occasions to ensure that they made a fair assessment.
Abigail Donnelly, Eat Out’s culinary director said: “The new judging process ensures that every star awarded truly reflects consistent excellence, from innovation on the plate to the overall guest experience. The level of talent and dedication in our restaurant industry is nothing short of world-class.”
Here are some of the biggest winners:
- Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year – Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay
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- Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Chef of the Year – Johannes Richter (The LivingRoom).
- Eat Out Woolworths Green Star Award – The LivingRoom
- Eat Out Rising Star – Nathan Clarke (The Test Kitchen Fledgelings in Woodstock).
While food was the main thing on the agenda, the evening certainly did not compromise on entertainment.
Taking over the Master of Ceremonies (MC) duties were none other than comedian Marc Lottering and Relebogile Mabotja.
Also see: Eat Out announces nominees of 2025 Restaurant Awards
