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Top 10s South African women chefs
1Margot Janse
Dutch-born Margot is the grande dame of fine dining, and she's got the awards to prove it. Her restaurant, Le Quartier Francais, is renowned internationally but for Margot, the real culinary stars are South African produce and heritage. 16 Huguenot Road Franschhoek. Tel: +27 (0)21 876 2151.
2Chantal Darnel
Chantal Darnel offers opulent epicurean experiences that are not for the faint hearted. Expect haute cuisine’s holy trinity (lobster, caviar and foie gras) to make regular appearances on her plates.
Mosaic Restaurant, Orient Hotel, Crocodile River Valley, Gauteng. Tel: +27 (0)12 371 2902.
3Elze Roome
Sophisticated French classics with a South African twist are always the order of the day with Elze Roome. Her chocolate fondant with nutmeg ice cream is heaven on a plate.
Brasserie de Paris, 381 Aries Street, Waterkloof, Pretoria. Tel: +27 (0)12 460 3583.
4Jackie Cameron
Fine dining flair, international chic and witty charm combine on the plates of this super talented, ridiculously young chef. The trout with papaya-champagne sauce and caviar is achingly wonderful.
Hartford House, Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal. Tel: +27 (0)33 263 2713.
5Cass Abrahams
You cannot speak of Cape Malay without mentioning Cass Abrahams, the self-taught food activist and chef responsible for lifting this ethnic fusion food to the height of culinary chic. Cass Abrahams cooks Cape Malay, available from online bookstores.
6Anne Leusch
Belgian-trained Anne Leusch continues the award-winning legacy of her parent's restaurant with youthful ebullience. Francophile food lovers, prepare to swoon...
La Madeleine Restaurant, Pretoria, Gauteng. Tel: +27 (0)12 361 3667.
7Linda Govender
Linda Govender is the queen of the innovative east meets west fusion food that is the taste of modern Durban deluxe. Her prawns in caraway seed batter are beyond blissful.
Spice Restaurant, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Tel: +27 (0)31 303 6375.
8Lizelle Stolze
The likes of springbok loin with rooibos foam ensure that South African infused, ultra modern gourmet chic is always the order of the day with chef Stolze.
Serendipity Restaurant, Freesia Avenue, Wilderness. Tel: +27 (0)44 877 0433.
9Chantal Darnel
Chantal Darnel offers opulent epicurean experiences that are not for the faint hearted. Expect haute cuisine’s holy trinity (lobster, caviar and foie gras) to make regular appearances on her plates.
Mosaic Restaurant, Orient Hotel, Crocodile River Valley, Gauteng. Tel: +27 (0)12 371 2902.
10Vanie Padayachee
Vanie Padayachee blends the flavours of South Africa, Thailand, Japan, India and France. Known as the spice-girl, adoring diners follow where Vanie leads. Find her, cooking up a storm at The Crest restaurant and The Veranda, at the Beach Hotel. Marine Drive Port Elizabeth. Tel: +27 (0)41 583 2161