The 2026 JHP Gourmet Guide™ launched with a celebratory event at Time Out Market Cape Town, marking a proud milestone – a decade of championing excellence and driving positive change within South Africa’s culinary landscape.
To commemorate the milestone year, three exclusive items were auctioned in the Haute Decade Auction.
This curated collection of fine-dining restaurants showcases the artistry, innovation and integrity of chefs across the country. The full list of 50 Plated restaurants and Haute Performance Award winners is now available in the free digital guide on the Gourmet Guide website.
Gourmet Gold
Since its inception in 2016, the JHP Gourmet Guide™ has become synonymous with consistency, credibility and global benchmarking. Anonymous professional evaluation, alongside international standards, ensures that Plate ratings and Haute Performance Awards remain trusted indicators of excellence within the industry.
A printed commemorative keepsake of the guide was presented to each winning restaurant – made possible through the generous support of Sanpellegrino and Nespresso. Mervyn Gers Ceramics once again created the coveted plates, rimmed in real gold, silver and bronze, including 24-carat gold plates awarded to three restaurants for achieving globally iconic status: La Colombe, Salsify and FYN.
This year’s Haute Performance Awards honoured excellence across a wide range of categories, recognising those whose creativity, leadership and purpose elevate South Africa’s reputation on the world stage:
– The inaugural Haute Pastry Award was presented to Catherine Adonis of Qunu at The Saxon Hotel & Spa, who won a three-day advanced pastry course at L’École Valrhona Dubai, courtesy of Wild Peacock Products and Valrhona.
– The Avante Haute Pour Award recognised Jennifer Hugé of FYN and beyond for an outstanding beverage programme. A second Haute Pour Award went to Grub & Vine for an exceptional wine list.
– Aubergine, La Colombe and The Pot Luck Club each received Haute Decade Awards for achieving a Plate in every guide for 10 consecutive years.
Haute Decade
In a special lucky draw exclusive to the Haute Decade restaurants, James Gaag of La Colombe won a 10-day culinary tour to Vietnam in April 2026 – a once-in-a-decade reward for remarkable consistency. For more information on this exciting tour, email info@jhpr.co.za.
To commemorate the milestone year, three exclusive items were auctioned in the Haute Decade Auction: a Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe Dark Chrome, a one-of-a-kind Kapena Joe bottle of Avante Founders’ XV, and a dinner at Restaurant Mosaic with an overnight stay at Château des Tesnières in Brittany, France.
Now in its third year of partnership, WWF-SASSI and the JHP Gourmet Guide™ continue to highlight restaurants committed to sustainability through the Green Philosophy Plates. Terrarium won the restaurant category, with Gregory Henderson recognised in the chef category.
“The 2026 JHP Gourmet Guide™ is so much more than a collection of ratings. It is a celebration of resilience, creativity, talent and progress. This guide stands as a commitment to fairness, transparency and the highest standards of culinary recognition,” said Gourmet Guide™ curator and founder, Jenny Handley.
View the official 2026 JHP Gourmet Guide™. Want more? Watch the live proceedings here.
For a full list of award winners, visit the website link below.
