As we head into the last stretch of the 2024/2025 Eat Out judging season, we’re lifting the curtain on this exciting eight-month-long journey to give you an exclusive glimpse into the experiences and discoveries that have guided our judges in identifying the country’s best restaurants. This is the third in a series of eight articles revealing insights gained from Eat Out’s meticulous judging process. 

To protect their anonymity, our judges will be referred to by number – allowing their experiences, not their identities, to take centre stage. 

Judge 3

What has surprised you the most during the judging process so far?
How many young chefs are heading up the restaurants in our country. 

What emerging trends, themes, or innovations have you noticed?
I have been pleasantly surprised by dishes that feature personal food memories of the chefs. Nostalgia is a welcome theme that adds a level of intimacy to the meal. 

What ingredients have appeared most frequently across the restaurants you’ve visited?
Kapokbos, tallow, bream, pansy flowers.

What’s been your general impression of service across the restaurants you’ve visited?
The Cape restaurants are excelling in their work. Professional but still friendly and welcoming.

What are you most looking forward to as we move into the second half of the judging process?
How the Johannesburg restaurants compare to Cape Town. 

 The Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards will culminate in a celebration of excellence on 31 March 2025. Read about Eat Out’s rigorous judging process here.