It was a surprise to read that Eat Out will resume its Restaurant Awards in 2022, announcing them at a dinner in November of next year, and that Abigail Donnelly will take over as Chief Judge, introducing a new judging process.

Eat Out did not award its Restaurant Awards in 2020 and in 2021.

Of the Eat Out Top 10 List of 2019 only seven restaurants are still operating.

Eat Out Awards 2019 full of drama and surprises, new awards, La Colombe overtakes The Test Kitchen for the first time as new number one restaurant in South Africa!

In a media statement issued yesterday, Eat Out announced that it will introduce inclusivity as its focus in the 2022 Awards. The restaurant industry’s unsung heroes will be celebrated. Top Restaurants will be rated and no longer ranked. The resilience of the local restaurant industry will be celebrated, without losing focus on its excellence. Judges will dine unannounced and pay for their meals. Legends will be celebrated as will be resilience and strength.

Interestingly Eat Out will announce the judges early next year, previously a closely guarded secret!

The following Eat Out Top 10 Restaurants of 2019 still operate currently:

#.  La Colombe

#.  FYN

#.  Eike

#.  Wolfgat

#.  La Petite Colombe

#.  Salsify at The Roundhouse

#. Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia

Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient moved to France, and Waterkloof Restaurant and The Test Kitchen have closed down in the past 20 months of Lockdown.

New restaurants that have opened during Lockdown that could be eligible for Eat Out Top 20 nomination are Restaurant Klein JAN, Homespun by Matt at The Andros, Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo, and ëlgr.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide