When he saw the space in the Old Biscuit Mill, Luke Dale Roberts says 'it was the perfect blank canvas', for which to use as a creative space where he could be innovative as a chef as well as for other projects like doing cooking demonstrations. The resulting mix of industrial and intimate made The Test Kitchen an obvious choice as nominee for the Boschendal Style Award.

The mood: Exposed pipes and brick walls that are un-plastered but whitewashed make for a contemporary setting that mimics the creative-in-process: the progress of changing the urban area into ‘something fresh and unique’. The earthy browns, reds and beiges give it an organic, intimate feeling despite the fact that the space is an industrial, warehouse one.

The designer: “The irregular shapes expose the honesty and integrity of the building,” says interior designer Eve Collette of Casamento. “We’ve taken imperfect aspects of the building and accentuated them. This also allows the food to stand out as a piece of precision detail.” adds Eve.

The details: All the fittings and artworks are artisan-made. The light fittings are made by ‘i felt like it’, who do handcrafted natural wool products. Details such as these reflect Luke’s own enthusiasm for craftwork. Cape Town artist Peter Eastman’s striking shadow paintings hang on the walls. Casamento also provided much of the furniture that reflects Luke’s tastes; slim-line fifties-style Duros Furniture is reinterpreted in metal to comfortably seat diners and fit into a relatively small space.

The Food: Luke describes his lunches as casual affairs with produce that is picked up at the market. There is also the dinner and gourmand menu which include a Foie gras, red cabbage and fig confit, rabbit ham, braised chestnuts and gently pickled quince starter, a Chalmar Beef Fillet with milk stout risotto and black pepper café au lait main and desserts like frozen pine nut parfait, chestnut crumble, soused figs with tonka and yoghurt foam.

Does this restaurant have what it takes to win the Boschendal Style Award?