Pillar9

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-19-wolfgat-kobus-van-der-merwe-restaurant-awards/

Wolfgat chef-owner: Local restaurant awards short on transparency, trust The Eat Out awards do not shape the restaurant landscape, but their judges do have the ability to shape the dining public’s opinion. They therefore work for us. And we should hold them accountable.

Wow, what a year! Pillar9 is so proud to work with some of our country’s best chefs and restaurants. At this year’s Woolworths Awards, our teams excelled…

One Star:
Farro at Gabrielskloof
Ouzeri
Upper Union

Two Stars:
The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate

Three Stars:
Salsify at The Roundhouse

Special Awards:
Sustainability: The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate
Chef of Chefs: Ryan Cole
Chef of the Year: Ryan Cole

And now we start all over again! Hard work pays off, but we’re always striving to do better!

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! 🙌

A year ago I decided to evolve my business and push the work we do on strategic development for restaurants a step further. Telling the story of a chef and restaurant starts when you take that first step into their establishments, and interiors are part of what brings this journey to life. Working with designer Jean Francois de Villiers, We’ve just completed our second decor evolution at Salsify at The Roundhouse in Camps Bay. With a strong focus on sustainability and hyper-local sourcing, our second installation in the Seasonal Room now highlights the importance of looking after our sea life. Our ocean-sourced plastic was collected by a local NGO in just one week, and turned into a magical undersea landscape, matched with bespoke Cara Saven Wall Design jellyfish wallpaper. A beautiful space to spend time, but also a reminder of what’s important.

Load-shedding has undoubtedly placed enormous pressure on South African businesses. For restaurants, there is a [small] up-side - people are venturing out instead of sitting in their dark homes. But, it does mean that now more than ever, value and experience for guests is non-negotiable.

restaurants share the frustrations of SA's never-ending load shedding If there’s one catchphrase that seems to be on everyone’s lips these days, it’s ‘load shedding’. From disrupting traffic and dinner time, to playing truant with work deadlines and homework, load shedding is the chronic malady without a cure. For restaurateurs, the pain is palpable.

What to expect in 2023... great insights from our friend and colleague Steve Steinfeld (aka. The Joburg Foodie) from Wanted Online

Five food trends for 2023 and where to taste them We run down the top trends we expect to see on menus this year and give you the top spots to go experience them for yourself

The most-anticipated awards event for the South African restaurant industry returns after a two-year hiatus. The annual Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022 will be held on Sunday 20 November. Pillar9 is exceptionally proud to be associated with an incredible SEVEN of the 42 shortlisted restaurants. Well done to all the chefs and teams - you deserve this recognition!

Farro at Gabrielskloof
Marble
Ouzeri
Salsify at The Roundhouse
Séjour Restaurant
The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate
Zioux

STARRED RESTAURANTS ANNOUNCED! - Eat Out Chief Judge Abigail Donnelly and her panel of five expert judges have revealed the restaurants that will receive either 1, 2, or 3 stars at the prestigious Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards at Grand West Arena on 20 November.

Two weeks ago, the doors to Salsify reopened and guests were welcomed into a reimagined space premised on heritage, seasonality and sustainability. The interior redesign was Pillar9's first interior project - and part of our expanded offering. Working with designer, Jean Francois de Villiers, we collaborated with Chef Ryan Cole to give this 350-year old national monument a breath of fresh air, colour and fun. We are incredibly proud of the result... thank you to Jean and our team of incredible creatives and suppliers who completed this evolution in just 22 days!

TASHAS AND THE PANTRY TEAM UP TO END HUNGER
tashas and Pantry by Marble join forces with SA Harvest this Mandela Day in an effort to end hunger in SA


In the spirit of Mandela Day, tashas is once again partnering with SA Harvest, South Africa’s fastest growing food rescue and hunger relief organisation, in making a massive impact to end hunger in South Africa. This year, the partnership is extending further into the restaurant industry with the Marble Group’s The Pantry also coming on board.

From 18-31 July, limited-edition handmade bracelets will be sold at tashas around the country and at The Pantry in Rosebank with all proceeds going to SA Harvest.

In 2021, tashas were able to contribute towards SA Harvest delivering an incredible 81 000 meals to more than 200 beneficiaries, across four regions through the sale of 2 700 bracelets.

“Last year, we were so grateful for the level of support we received from our customers – it’s because of them we were able to donate so generously. For 2022 we want to do even more, and that’s why we’ve partnered with The Pantry to work with SA Harvest. In years to come, we would love more restaurants to get involved. Together, we can make an even bigger impact,” says Natasha Sideris, Founder & CEO of Tashas Group.

For tashas customers there are three ways to support the initiative: purchase a bracelet for R50 and buy 18 meals, make a donation on the bill of R8 which buys five meals, or donate directly to SA Harvest via the QR Code payment portal on display at each store.

If you’re shopping at The Pantry, you can also purchase a bracelet for R50 and donate 18 meals, buy a donut on Wednesdays and R1.15 will be allocated to SA Harvest, or donate directly to SA Harvest via the QR Code payment portal on display in store.

“This is an incredibly important cause,” says David Higgs Chef from the Marble Group and The Pantry. “Organisations like SA Harvest, which feed hungry South Africans all over the country, provide a vital service to millions of people, and we all need to do more to support them, and hungry South Africans.”

To date, SA Harvest has delivered more than 25 million nutritious meals by rescuing food that would otherwise have gone to waste. They rescue delicious food and deliver it where it is needed most.

Alan Browde, founder and CEO of SA Harvest, says in South Africa, almost 20 million people go to sleep hungry every night. “Unless we have the focus and the passion to continue to take action tirelessly, even when things don't go right, we can’t solve the problem of hunger.”

SA Harvest has set up an extraordinary way to address the issue by rescuing surplus food from farmers, manufacturers and retailers, and delivering it to where it is needed most. Over the last 35 months, SA Harvest has delivered more than 25 million nutritious meals by rescuing food that would otherwise have gone to waste and delivering it to beneficiaries who feed hungry people all over the country.

For further information on SA Harvest go to www.saharvest.org or follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram or on LinkedIn -harvest.

Congratulations to Salsify at The Roundhouse for winning in the LUX Awards for 2022…

- Emerging Luxury Restaurant of the year 2022
- LUXLife Hospitality Excellence Award 2022

LUXlife Magazine Announces the Winners of the 2022 Restaurant & Bar Awards - Lux Magazine United Kingdom, 2021 – LUXlife magazine has announced the winners of the 2022 Restaurant & Bar Awards.