Tessa

“Together bringing a vision to life”

That was the opening line of this year’s Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards - a cinematic moment meant to capture the community of people behind every exceptional dining experience.

Reflecting on it, I realise it speaks just as much to the people behind the awards themselves. An event like this takes a full year of planning, building, and refining - everything culminating in one beautiful but fleeting moment.

From the small but mighty Eat Out team, to the brand partners, scouts, and judges who spend 9 months travelling the country, dining at nearly 100 restaurants each (just imagine the reservations and travel+accommodation admin!!) to the event suppliers, creatives, emcees, production experts, and culinary masterminds behind the menu for the event - this is a mammoth team effort.

At the core of it all, though, lies Eat Out’s unwavering purpose: recognising and celebrating excellence in South African dining. It’s been the brand’s North Star for 28 years and I’d like to think the visionary food-loving founders of Eat Out would be really proud of what the brand has become. Being a small part of this legacy is something I never take lightly. While every awards year carries its own energy and magic, this one was truly one for the books! 🌟 🥂 @eatoutguide #eatoutwoolworthsawards2026