Inside the Spectacular 2026 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards at the Baxter Theatre
- The Baxter Theatre was alive with excitement recently as the South African culinary community gathered to celebrate the industry's best
- The event was hosted by the comedian Marc Lottering and media darling Reneilwe Mabotje, who kept the audience entertained with their humour
- Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini praised the industry’s passion, noting that the success of the awards is about the people and community behind the food
- Briefly News spoke with Gary Coetzee of the Bistro at Brookdale Estate, who celebrated earning a prestigious star after only three years in business
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The day was full of joy as hosts Marc Lottering and Reneilwe Mabotje took to the stage on 23 March 2026. Cape Town’s king of laughter and the seasoned broadcaster did a stellar job entertaining guests with their humorous hosting. Speaking at the event, Woolworths’s outgoing CEO Roy Bagattini shared why the night mattered so much. He noted:
“It is not about what’s on the plate, it’s about the people behind it, it’s about the community, the standard we set and continue to raise."
He called the partnership between Woolworths and Eat Out a perfect pairing. He explained:
"It is grounded in shared values in our belief in excellence, integrity, and our belief that a thriving restaurant industry depends more than on talent alone.”
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Big win for FYN and Johannes Richter
The room was packed with famous faces, including media personality Siv Ngesi, who watched as local restaurants earned their prestigious stars. The top honours of the day went to FYN, which was named Restaurant of the Year, and Johannes Richter, who was crowned Chef of the Year. Roy Bagattini added that the industry’s success “depends on connections, collaboration and on creating environments where people who are passionate about this craft can truly grow. It is a beautiful moment of recognition for everyone who pours their hearts into the South African dining scene."
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Gary Coetzee celebrates fine food success
Briefly News journalist Bongiwe Mati caught up with Gary Coetzee of The Bistro at Brookdale Estate, which earned a one-star rating. Gary, who attended with his wife Yvonne, said the star is a huge nod to his team. He added:
“I think it recognises the restaurant, the staff, the food, the whole restaurant experience, along with the wines that we produce. It is amazing to be recognised for the hard work, the dedication, the discipline, and having a team that comes together to satisfy a customer’s needs.”
Gary noted that he prefers to use the term “fine food” over fine dining and explained that he is passionate about the future. Looking ahead, he said he wants to teach his juniors that “fine dining is not the key, but fine, good-tasting food is the way to go. The chef also shared his passion for sustainability. He explained that his kitchen tries to minimise waste, even using every part of the duck, including the bones and giblets, to create their sauces.
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Catching up with Siv Ngesi at the awards
Our journalist had the pleasure of speaking with media personality Siv Ngesi about the prestigious culinary excellence event.
Noting the introduction of the first-ever “Green Stars” for sustainability awards, we asked the actor how important he thinks it is for SA’s food community to start prioritising the environment. He responded:
“Sustainability, for me, I think, is an incredible word. I use it in my life as much as possible, and I incorporate sustainability into everything I do. For me, it's so pivotal. It's very important to think of Mzansi's food community and to start prioritising the environment. I think sustainability is about protecting it now so it can give us back a little bit later. It's just like any person in life; if you treat it well, if you give back to it, it can give back to you. We must ensure that we can do it as long as possible in the cleanest, most respectful and authentic way possible. So, I'm very proud of this award.”
We asked Siv how he found the energy at the event, considering he was an entertainer himself. The award-winning actor shared:
“The MCs were absolutely incredible, world-class acts. I loved the balance. I love people who don't take themselves seriously. It's a long night, so you need this absolute flair of MCs who are very intellectual and intelligent, but still can make fun of themselves and self-deprecate. I loved last night. Keep the MCs, and maybe one day I can be on that stage to MC as well.”
When asked which restaurant out of all the winners was currently at the top of his must-visit list, the social activist said:
“I have a thing. I want to visit all the restaurants that I've won, and do it every single year to get the top restaurant. So, for me, there is no one, but I want to send a special shout-out to Vuur. Absolutely incredible meat. Shaun is unbelievable; it is one of my favourite restaurants in the country.”
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Laughter and love at the Baxter Theatre
Besides the laughter that filled the space and the amazing food and bottomless drinks, guests were thoroughly spoiled. The Woolworths team also treated attendees to a goodie bag, which consisted of Callebaut chocolates, packets of chips, other snacks, facial wipes and the food magazine. The night ended with guests enjoying themselves while the DJ played great music.
5 Briefly News Woolworths-related articles
- South Africa’s culinary elite gathered in Cape Town for the 2026 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards to honour the country’s finest dining destinations.
- A content creator shared her amazing experience at the grand relaunch of Woolworths Tygervalley store in Cape Town, showcasing its stunning new design and unique features.
- A woman shared an exciting experiment she was conducting to test the shelf life of Woolworths' fresh fruits and vegetables, which still looked fresh on the second day.
- A local woman challenged herself to get lunch for under R30 at Woolworths and came back with chicken strips and a crusty bread roll, which she enjoyed at work with coffee.
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Source: Briefly News
