Proudly brought to you by Lexus, the official vehicle sponsor for the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022.

Lexus and the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards share many parallels in terms of their approach to quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Takumi craftsmen build Lexus vehicles and devote 60 000 hours to their craft, allowing them to deliver unparalleled attention to detail, craftsmanship and class-leading innovation in every Lexus vehicle. “Lexus is about exceptional craftmanship and cutting-edge innovation, which is what the Eat Out judging panel are very aware of when understanding each chef’s philosophy and how it’s translated onto the plate when judging,” says Abigail Donnelly, Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards chief judge.

Lexus is no stranger to relentless innovation in the automotive industry. Lexus Takumi craftsmen see technological advances as inspiration for constant innovation. They work relentlessly around the clock exploring new ideas, processes and technology to improve the overall driving and efficiency of their vehicles. However, regardless of the degree of innovation, Lexus Takumi craftsmen always have Lexus drivers and passengers in mind when pioneering innovation.

Abigail would like to encourage chefs and restaurants to strive for new levels of creativity and quality this year. “I’m looking for brave cooking again this year, and better desserts. I’m looking for less flowers which often make a dish look pretty, but one can hide a lot behind that.”

While edible flowers and garnishes have their place, this year, Abigail’s approach is geared towards making the ingredients the heroes of the dish. “I believe consumers are hoping for more simpler and smaller menus that are more sustainable, without losing the respect of the traditional principles that go into setting menus. For me, something as simple as the hero ingredient is not always the simplest to execute, so I really do believe that it’s brave cooking.”

Relentless innovation is unquestionably the key ingredient to success. Both Lexus and the Eat Out awards are leaders in their industries and are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards push the boundaries in keeping up with international trends by being the first to implement the star rating system in South Africa, allowing more restaurants to shine and have a platform. Safety is an example of an area where Lexus Takumi craftsmen apply technology and innovation relentlessly.

Much like the previous year, the 2023 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards will have a strong focus on restaurants acting boldly holistically – embracing change, having a simple yet innovative approach to food, demonstrating consistent excellence in the quality of ingredients and providing exceptional service. “I will again be looking for exceptional quality and understanding more and more about what the chefs are wanting to do. For me, relentless innovation celebrates and delivers an exceptional experience and pushes the boundaries to showcase excellence. Whether it’s a fine dining tasting menu or a casual bistro – it’s all about quality, care, the people, and braver cooking,” explains Abigail.