With not a single detail overlooked, the earthy but artistic interior design of The Test Kitchen in Woodstock embodies the philosophy of world-renowned chef Luke Dale-Roberts.

The restaurant

Included in the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list earlier this year, and winner of Eat Out’s Restaurant of the Year in 2013, The Test Kitchen at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town, seems light-years away from its 2010 origins of a small creative project to explore and experiment with ingredients and flavours. Well, that’s owner-chef Luke Dale-Roberts for you: never resting, and always producing nothing but the best.

The table setting at The Test Kitchen. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The food

Luke and head chef Ivor Jones are constantly pushing the frontiers of world-class modern fine dining, with each dish representing a micro universe. Current signature dishes on the continually evolving menu are the foie gras with four trees, sweetbreads ajo blanco and kingklip cooked over burning curry leaves.

The Test Kitchen table setting detail. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The style

Luke worked with his wife and co-owner Sandalene, of Miyabi chair design label fame, to create an industrial space with a deep warm earthy feeling that gives a sense of theatre and comfort. Sandalene made the copper and skin chairs, tie-dyed grain sacks, lace runners and staff uniforms. Screens and artwork are by Peter Eastman, and pottery and table pieces by John Bauer – both Cape Town based artists.

Does The Test Kitchen have what it takes to win the 2014 Eat Out Boschendal Style Award? Buy tickets to the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards to find out first-hand.