We couldn’t resist going back to the archives to compare the reigning Top 10 in 2019 (i.e the 2018 list) to the list from ten years ago (the 2008 winners). Here’s our take on the #10yearchallenge.

#10yearchallenge

Eat Out Top 10 in 2008

1. La Colombe
2. Jardine
3. Terroir
4. Overture
5. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient
6. Rust en Vrede Restaurant
7. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français
8. Roots at Forum Homini
9. Bistrot Bizerca
10. Hartford House

Eat Out Chef of the Year: Luke Dale-Roberts of La Colombe (at Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate in Cape Town)

Ah, the nostalgia of dishes from a simpler time. Photo supplied.

Eat Out Top 10 in 2018

1. The Restaurant at Waterkloof
2. The Test Kitchen
3. La Colombe
4. Wolfgat
5. La Petite Colombe
6. Greenhouse at Cellars-Hohenort
7. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient
8. Camphors at Vergelegen
9. Jardine Restaurant
10. Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia

Eat Out S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna Chef of the Year: Kobus van der Merwe, Wolfgat (Paternoster)

How times have changed

Chef Luke-Dale Roberts during his La Colombe days. Photo supplied.

Arguably the most interesting change-up is that Luke Dale-Roberts headed up La Colombe (now helmed by executive chef James Gaag and chef-owner Scot Kirton) the last time it was at number one; his restaurant The Test Kitchen enjoyed a run of six consecutive number ones before moving to number two in 2018.

Chantel Dartnall at Restaurant Mosaic is still going strong in the Top 10 a decade later, and Bertus Basson’s Overture has been a regular contender in the nominees list and Top 10 since 2008.

George Jardine’s original Jardine (which used to be above Jason Bakery – then Jardine Bakery – on Bree Street) was resurrected when he reopened another spot by the same name in Stellenbosch in 2016. Margot Janse, the former chef at now-closed The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (which was also a regular in our Top 10 for more than a decade) is now the chief judge of these awards. Finally, Adriaan Maree – who worked as head chef at Roots in 2012 – is now boasting his own spot in Pretoria named Fermier, which came in at number 11 in 2018. We’ve added a considerable number of new awards since 2008, too. Make sure to check out all the winners.