The Test Kitchen and Restaurant Mosaic withdraw from Eat Out Awards

Since opening in Cape Town in 2010, The Test Kitchen has dominated the Eat Out Awards, winning Restaurant of the Year for six years running, alongside a string of additional awards for service and innovation. The Test Kitchen was awarded second place at this year’s recent awards.

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While Mosaic's chef-patron Chantel Dartnall has been a 10-time recipient of an Eat Out Top 10 Restaurants award and was awarded ninth place at the recent awards and was the only non-Cape eatery on the Top 10 list.

Luke Dale-Roberts

Comment from Luke Dale-Roberts:

“It’s been an enormous honour to have received so many accolades from the Eat Out Awards over the years, but we feel that the time is right to step aside and let the next generation of younger chefs receive the recognition they are due.

“The Test Kitchen has always been about pushing the boundaries of creativity and dining experience. One of the great joys of being a chef is the freedom to channel our own creativity onto the plate in whatever way we deem to be our own. The Test Kitchen is proud to call South Africa home, but our inspirations are global. Although we’re stepping away from the Eat Out Awards, we look forward to continuing our journey of culinary discovery.

Eat Out Awards responds to Restaurant Mosaic and The Test Kitchen's withdrawal

4 Dec 2019

“I am excited about the future and all that it holds. I feel that this is the right decision and gives me the autonomy I need to express myself creatively. I feel that the food scene in South Africa is growing every day. As chefs we have the power to lead and mentor a hungry generation of young blood from all different walks of life and background. I would like to channel all my positive energy into this. The producers, farmers and purveyors based here in South Africa are pushing the boundaries and I support and honour them wholeheartedly.”

Comment from Chantel Dartnall:

“I am extremely proud of what my team and I have achieved to date. Restaurant Mosaic has been blessed with a plethora of local and international accolades and recognition throughout its 13 years in operation.

“We have consistently been recognised not only as one of Eat Out's Top 10 Restaurants and have taken home the title of Chef of the Year twice. Mosaic's sommelier Moses Magwaza has also had the honour of going home with the Wine Service Award for two consecutive years.

Chantel Dartnall

“I have decided that after having been on the Eat Out stage 10 times, we will be stepping aside and vacating our position in the Top 10 lineup to allow for the new generation of chefs and restaurants to shine on the culinary stage.

“There's a growing sentiment that no restaurant outside of Cape Town and the Winelands is worthy of an Eat Out award. It is sad but it is being fostered by the continuation of a small circle of restaurants earning the same accolades year on year.

“I believe there are a number of restaurants of merit not only in Gauteng but right throughout the country.”