The Eat In DStv Food Network Produce Awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding, independent South African producers for putting South Africa on the international food map with their integrity, passion and innovation. These are producers that deliver a consistently high quality product that is SA grown or developed using primary produce from SA. Due care and consideration for both the environment and workforce are essential criteria.
Of course, an outlet is a vital connection between the producers and public, which is why the awards also recognise the stores, shops and market for their vital role in the process.
From 2013, the awards will be renamed the Eat Out DStv Food Network Produce Awards to reflect the new merged brand.
Judges
Anelde Greeff
Anelde has worked in the publishing industry for just over 10 years. Her time has been divided between a variety of magazines in a variety of positions, most notably as features editor of Woolworths TASTE magazine and publisher and group editor of Edgars Club magazine. Currently, she is content director of Eat In and Eat Out, and editor of Eat In. Under Anelde’s leadership, Eat In has launched an annual food market, re-launched its website and established itself as the ultimate shopping guide for South African foodies.
Anna trained as an anthropologist at King’s College Cambridge and as a chef at the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine. She uses both disciplines in her work. Her first book To the Banqueting House: African Cuisine, an Epic Journey won the Gold medal at the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards, Beijing 2006. Her best-selling food biography Hunger for Freedom: The Story of Food in the Life of Nelson Mandela won the Special Jury Prize at the same competition in 2008. She has recently collaborated with Nelson Mandela’s chef Xoliswa Ndoyiya on Ukutya Kwasekhaya: Tastes from Nelson Mandela’s kitchen.
Abigail Donnelly
Abigail’s passion is quite clearly food – whether it’s finding the perfect new sidewalk café, feasting on the new dishes of South Africa’s top chefs, developing recipes or styling award-winning food photography. Currently she is group food editor of Woolworths TASTE magazine, editor of Eat Out magazine and chief judge of the Eat Out Restaurant Awards. Previously Abigail was food editor at Fairlady, worked as the in-house chef at Milof Manor and ran her own coffee shop and catering company. Abigail’s accolades include winning the Galliova Award for Best Food Writer four times and being on the judging panel of the S. Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants.
Food alchemist Pete Goffe-Wood qualified at the well known Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks before establishing himself as a chef, restaurateur, food critic, events organiser, author and TV personality. He hosts his popular series of no-nonsense Kitchen Cowboys workshops for men, and was one of three judges chosen for the first season of MasterChef South Africa.
Jackie Cameron
Jackie Cameron’s heart is in KwaZulu-Natal. She was born and raised in the Midlands where, since 2002, she has filled the position of head chef at Hartford House, a five-star boutique hotel in rural Mooi River. She graduated from the Christina Martins School of Food and Wine and cut her teeth at Mount Grace Country House and Spa. Under her guidance the Hartford House restaurant has won numerous awards – including a spot in the Eat Out Top 10 three times. Jackie was voted by South African Tourism as one of the Top 10 Young South African Chefs, is a Chaîne des Rôtisseurs member, and is on the KwaZulu-Natal committee for the South African Chefs’ Association. As part of her endeavour to share her knowledge, Jackie writes a monthly column for The Witness newspaper.
Deon van Wyk
Deon van Wyk’s slight British accent might fool you into thinking he’s foreign, but his Afrikaans will reassure you that he’s a born and bred South African. He has ten years of buying experience at well-known London department store Selfridges & Co. to thank for his valuable food knowledge. Deon’s speciality is fresh produce buying – from bread to caviar – and food trends. Deon moved back to SA and met with Melissa van Hoogstraten in 2009, and she quickly realised the time was right for someone of Deon’s capacity and knowledge to join the team at Melissa’s The Food Shop. Now the chain’s senior buyer, Deon believes in local talent and produce and – most importantly – shares Melissa’s philosophy of using kitchen cupboard ingredients and initiative to create something special.
Sponsors
Winners
The winners of the 2012 Eat In DStv Food Network Produce Awards were announced on the 24th March at a special market at the Stellenbosch Slowmarket. Here are our food heroes:
