Awarded for the first time in 2013, the Nederburg Rising Star Award recognises a young chef making waves in the industry. Many unsung heroes populate South African kitchens, but the Nederburg Rising Star Award goes to a chef who shows that little extra spark, the one who arrives before anyone else and is the last to leave. We’re looking for a brave, exciting and inspiring individual, a chef who has the skill to make the more established chefs to sit up and take note. The rising star should be a genuine candidate for the Eat Out S. Pellegrino Chef of the Year one day.

The winner of the 2014 Eat Out Nederburg Rising Star Award, Kobus van der Merwe of Oep ve Koep, was announced at the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards on the 16 November. (See the full list of winners here.)

The winner of the 2013 Rising Star Award was Vanessa Marx, chef at Dear Me and The White Room. “Vanessa cooks her socks off at Dear Me,” said judge Andy Fenner, of last year’s winner. The ICA trained chef runs the day service at the popular Cape Town restaurant, but somehow still found time to launch a fine dining offering, The White Room. The venue may not be perfect, but it’s given Vanessa a chance to flex her culinary muscles and experiment. “It shows what this chef is capable of,” says Andy.

“Vanessa puts her own identity in her food, which promotes carefully sourced, local ingredients. Her food is fresh and has a unique, subtle simplicity with slightly playful tricks that excite the diner.” says chief judge Abigail Donnelly.

To attend the 2014 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards, book your tickets now on Webtickets.

About the sponsor:

The passion and craftsmanship evident in the winners of the Rising Star Award are also the hallmarks of sponsor Nederburg Wines. Founded in 1791, Nederburg produces a range of wines, successfully straddling the divide between specialist connoisseur wine lovers and those wanting nothing more than the simple pleasure of a refreshing, delicious glass of wine. The Heritage Heroes collection is a selection of ultra-premium gourmet wines, available exclusively through top-end retail stores and restaurants. Each wine has been named after a prominent personality who played a role in shaping Nederburg’s reputation.

Nederburg also recently unveiled a new lifestyle range of varietal wines under the 56HUNDRED label. The very smooth-drinking wines, bursting with fruit flavour, were named for the price of 5 600 guilders paid for the farm in 1791 by founder, Philippus Wolvaart.