La Colombe and La Petite Colombe excel at the 2018 Eat Out Awards

(Cape Town, 19 November 2018) Sister restaurants La Colombe and La Petite Colombe both excelled at last night’s Eat Out Awards, cementing their place in the South African fine dining landscape by being awarded third and fifth place respectively.

Says Executive Chef of La Colombe, James Gaag, “I am incredibly proud of my team and what we have achieved. I work with an amazing group of people and I feel all of our success is largely due to the hard work and passion each and every one of them put in every day.”

Rising from seventh place last year, to third this year, La Colombe was placed in the top tier of these prestigious awards, behind only The Test Kitchen and The Restaurant at Waterkloof. In the judge’s feedback, they described their meal at La Colombe as “beautiful, quirky, clever. Sublime simple dishes; superb cooking.”

It has been a particularly busy year for the La Colombe team, with the restaurant recently reopening after a major revamp, and James Gaag now in the position of Executive Chef, bringing with him a philosophy of balanced flavours and delicious, uncomplicated food.

Not celebrating alone, La Petite Colombe is now an award-winning restaurant in its own right, having won the Eat Out Retail Capital New Restaurant of the Year in 2017, and debuting in the Top 10 this year, clinching fifth place. Described by the judges as “an absolutely delightful meal, cooked with such delicacy”, there was much celebration from the extended La Colombe team - comprising La Colombe, La Petite Colombe, Foxcroft and Protege - at GrandWest’s Grand Arena last night.

Says John Norris-Rogers, Executive Chef at La Petite Colombe, “To go from new restaurant last year to number five this year - we’re just incredibly grateful and privileged to be here. It all goes to my team and everyone behind the brand. We couldn’t be happier with the work we’ve put in this year.’’

It was then only fitting that the evening’s final course featured the skills and talents of the greater La Colombe team, who collaborated to bring 720 guests a delicate dessert of strawberry, yoghurt, verbena and Callebaut Ruby Chocolate, which was paired with Graham Beck MCC Brut Rosé.

About the Eat Out AwardsThe annual Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards forms a cornerstone of the Eat Out brand, celebrating the best of the South African restaurant industry. In 2015 the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries was introduced to recognise a wider range of casual restaurants.