Bubbly and beautiful, Chantel Dartnall, was last year's Eat Out Chef of the Year. Her restaurant, Mosaic, has once again been nominated for the Eat Out Restaurant Awards. We catch up with her to find out how she celebrated.

How did it feel to be nominated for the Eat Out Restaurant Awards?

It is totally thrilling and truly humbling. Being selected as one of the top 20 restaurants puts you into a group of the most talented and inspiring chefs in the country. We happened to be down in Cape Town when we got the news, so we celebrated at Reuben’s at the One&Only.

 Describe a signature dish at your restaurant.

My menu changes completely every three months, so my dishes vary according to the seasons. I can’t really pin down a signature dish. On our current spring menu, I have a light, elegant starter of salmon cured in a white balsamic and lime vinaigrette with a rosa tomato sorbet, sweet-and-sour confit tomato, and finished off with a day lily salad dressed in tomato vinaigrette.

 What are the key elements of a top restaurant?

Consistency in quality and innovation.

 What ingredients are always in your kitchen?

Lots and lots of fresh herbs.

 Did you always want to be a chef?

Absolutely. I’ve always been drawn to cooking and dreamt of owning my own restaurant from a very early age.

Do you have any other big dreams?

To always be in the fortunate position where I can be creative and live out my passion as a chef, and to be able to share it with others.

Which three words describe you best?

Complex, strange, nature-lover.

 Click here to find out who else has been nominated.