The World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards took centre stage in Bilboa on Tuesday evening. It was a gathering of the greatest culinary minds and our very own Test Kitchen, owned by legendary Chef Luke Dale-Roberts, placed 50th at the awards and no. 1 on the African Continent.
This is not Dale-Roberts first rodeo, he is a well decorated chef, holding the top spot of Eat Out’s number 1 restaurant in South Africa for the 6th year in a row.
The restaurant also placed 46 in the Elite Traveler’s 100 Best Restaurants in the World 2018 and has consistently been placed in The “World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna” since its opening at the end of 2010: number 74 in 2012; number 61 in 2013 and number 48 in 2014; followed by a massive jump to number 28 in 2015 then the highest yet as number 22 in 2016. It received the Cacao Barry One to Watch Award and it was also named Best Restaurant in Africa in 2015 and 2016.
In 2017, Dale-Roberts reimagines the restaurant, resulting in the dramatic Dark Room and Light Room concept which has been applauded both locally and internationally. Guests start the evening in the moody, lounge-style Dark Room for exquisite tapas and cocktails, before moving to the Light Room which exudes a more formal and airy atmosphere for the remainder of the 21-course tasting menu.
Both spaces are finely in tune with the industrial aesthetic of The Test Kitchen’s location – The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock in Cape Town, a repurposed factory setting in a gritty yet hip area of the city.
“My team and I have taken some risks over the last year and worked extremely hard to evolve The Test Kitchen to what it is today. It’s thrilling that it has paid off. I am so proud of what we have achieved with The Test Kitchen and that is has a well-deserved spot on the world food stage,” said Dale-Roberts.
Location: The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Contact: 021 447 2337
Website: thetestkitchen.co.za
Open for dinner only from Tuesdays to Saturdays between 6.30pm – 11.30pm
Pictures: Supplied
