WeeklySA_AdminSouth Africa’s chef extraordinaire Luke Dale Roberts’ restaurants have been recognised with multiple honours at the 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards.
SALON was awarded the Restaurant of the Year accolade, along with a prestigious Three Luxe Star rating, while The Pot Luck Club Cape Town and The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg were each awarded Two Luxe Stars. SALON’s win follows its international accolade as Africa’s Best New Restaurant at the 2024 World Culinary Awards. Additionally, Carla Schulze, executive chef at SALON, was awarded the Culinary Innovation Award for her visionary approach to fine dining.
The awards were announced at a glittering ceremony held in Johannesburg on Tuesday, attended by the country’s leading chefs, restaurateurs, and industry insiders to celebrate excellence in South African dining.
Luke Dale Roberts, South Africa’s original trailblazer chef, continues to set new standards in fine dining. Known for redefining the culinary landscape with The Test Kitchen, Roberts has once again raised the bar with SALON. Together with Schulze, who started as a trainee at The Test Kitchen, the duo crafts a globally inspired menu blending bold flavours, English roots, Asian influences, and European techniques.
SA’S BOPLAAS SCOOPS GOLD AT WORLD WHISKY AWARDS
Boplaas 10Y0 Rum Cask Whisky was named top grain whisky in its category recently. The highest honour for a South African grain whisky, Boplaas scooped the prize at the prestigious 2025 World Whisky Awards competition in London.
From big name distillers to smaller, independent producers, the championship casts the spotlight on the prestige and diversity of the global whisky market. Boplaas received Gold and was named category winner, making it South Africa’s best grain whisky entrant, standing out among hundreds of hopefuls from across the globe, including renowned whisky nations such as Japan. Boplaas distillery is located in Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo.
The 10YO Rum Cask Whisky is a single grain whisky, made from the finest South African yellow maize. It was aged in a combination of first and second-fill ex-bourbon whisky barrels and then finished in casks that were previously used for the making of rum. The result is a sublime beverage with a complex, savoury nose with layers of fruit. The rich palate unfolds with notes of sweetcorn, candied apple, and warm guava. The glorious finish swells and then dissipates slowly into a soft vanilla sweetness.
EVENTS
QUOIN ROCK HARVEST
Quoin Rock is hosting a Harvest 2025 Celebration on its Stellenbosch farm on March 13, and thereafter two more similar events on March 13 and April 10.
The winery invites wine lovers to step into the heart of the harvest season, where the land’s bounty, the winemaker’s art, and the spirit of fire come together for an extraordinary celebration. They will be treated to a harvest table flowing with seasonal delights, including dishes prepared with flames dancing on the braai, infusing each bite with bold, smoky perfection. These delicacies will be enjoyed along with a curated selection of Quoin Rock’s signature wines, each sip a story of passion and terroir.
To create sedate ambience, there will be live entertainment, setting the scene for an afternoon of connection and celebration beneath the majestic Simonsberg Mountains as well as stunning views of the Knorhoek Valley and picturesque natural surroundings stretching to Cape Town. Tickets cost R3 250 a person. Activities start at 4pm.
VAN RYN’S SUNDOWNERS
Stellenbosch’s Van Ryn’s Brandy Distillery will host sundowners for brandy aficionados on February 28, from 5pm.
Tickets cost R220 a person. Van Ryn’s Distillery is situated on Van Ryn Road. Connect with friends, listen to live music and sip on some premium brandy cocktails. Cheese and charcuterie platters make sure that you have something to nibble on, while enjoying the atmosphere.
Sample from a selection of beverages that will be on sale. This includes Van Ryn’s Brandies, Brandy cocktails, Nederburg wines, Pongracz Methode Cap Classique and a selection of beer, cider and non-alcoholic beverages and water.
Candice Thornton and her band will serenade you with her unique blend of South African R&B, Jazz and Soul music. The ticket price includes entrance fee, live music and a cheese and charcuterie platter for one.
PRETORIA GIN FEST
The annual Schweppes Gin Festival is back – and this year visitors to the event can expect an incredible variety of craft gin brands to indulge in. The event will take place at Fire & Wine venue in Pretoria East on March 8.
There will also be an assortment of food trucks available, and of course some of SA’s top DJ’s on the decks. The event will once again be hosted on the lawns at the beautiful venue. Camp chairs and picnic blankets are welcome.
Tickets cost from R290 (general access); R550 (sip and pain) and R850 (VIP, only 50 available). They include a complimentary gin cocktail on arrival, and full bottle of gin for VIP patrons in a comfortable setting. Food options for every taste and budget available on the day. Gates open at 12:00 and the show closes at 22:00.
ZIMBALI HOSTS GROOTE POST
Cape West Coast winery Groote Post will treat guests to an exclusive evening of wine tasting and education at Zimbali Country Club in Ballito, north of Durban, on February 25.
Nestled within Zimbali Country Club’s forest canopy is the Crowned Eagle Restaurant, which is the venue for the evening of wine tasting and education, hosted by Peter Pentz of Groote Post. Located on the Cape’s West Coast, Groote Post is a historic 18th-century farm renowned for its winemaking traditions, unique vineyard conditions, and award-winning wines.
This event will offer guests the opportunity to indulge in fine wines, explore your palate, and learn about the artistry and heritage behind Groote Post’s exceptional offerings. The cost is R250 per person. Reserve your spot via foodandbev@zimbalicc.co.za or call 032 538 1041.
BEEREX AFRICA IN CAPE TOWN
BeerEx Africa, a conference and expo dedicated to the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage: beer, will take place in Cape Town from May 22 to 24.
The event will take place at Makers Landing at The Cruise Terminal, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It is geared at brewers from across the continent – not just as delegates, but also as speakers, exhibitors and as entrants in the annual African Beer Cup.
Launched in 2016, BeerEx Africa (formerly the Craft Brewers Powwow) was established to help boost South Africa’s burgeoning beer culture. The conference and expo have grown to attract brewers and beer enthusiasts from across the continent and in 2025 we’re expanding further.
Attendees can choose to attend just the expo or opt for a package including the one-day conference as well as the two-day expo, which showcases innovative products from local companies alongside major international suppliers. We’re also hosting evening networking events at nearby craft breweries.
BeerEx Africa is held in conjunction with the African Beer Cup, the biggest beer competition in Africa, attracting more than 250 entries from across the continent.. – Compiled by Len Maseko
