Organiser Anne Hadley said her husband, Ian started the awards a decade ago in order to encourage culinary excellence. "You know it has paid off - we have had a marked improvement in standards. Helge graduated from the Francois Ferreira Academy for Culinary Art, blossoming to become an accomplished chef over the past eight years."
As co-convenor, Francois Ferreira said the awards may be regionally-based, but that major awards, such as Eat Out and American Express Fine Dining, are taking note of what is happening in "our neck of the woods".
"Our process of selecting winners is a very fair one as the 14 ghost diners arrive unannounced and pay for their meals in full. A decade of CXpress Garden Route Culinary Awards has lifted the general standard of cuisine and service in the area.
It is a fitting monument to what Ian Hadley, aka Gastro Nomix, started 10 years ago and Anne, who committed to take over the reins, is especially tireless in her quest of finding the perfect restaurant. It is also a nod to the ethics of the CXpress Garden Route Culinary Awards to be recognised by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and South African Chefs Association."
This year the Awards also received 'Event' status from the South African Chef's Association.
Top 20 Culinary Destinations 2012
- Meade Café
- Flava Café
- Pomodoro
- The Rose
- Rosenhof
- East Head Café
- Emily's
- Lemongrass
- Kafe Serefé
- Zucchini
- Thyme & Again
- Caloroso Coffee
- Margaret's at Kurland
- The Med Bistro
- Nguni
- The Gannet
- Caffe Mario
- Waterside Grill
- Veg-Table Private Dining Room
- Chef Alma @ Groenvlei.
This year's Top 20 winners were announced on Monday evening at the CXpress/NLR WInes Garden Route Culinary Awards at the Belvidere Manor Hotel in Knysna. Helge van Rensburg of Kafe Serefe (in blue third from left) was named Gastro Nomix Chef of the Year.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
