The world’s best restaurant is in the Western Cape
Minister of Economic Opportunities, Beverley Schäfer extends her heartfelt congratulations to Wolfgat, the Paternoster restaurant that walked away with the Restaurant of the Year award in the inaugural World Restaurant Awards in Paris last night.
Wolgat, a tiny restaurant tucked away in an old fisherman’s cottage won the award for the best restaurant in the “Off-Map” category, as well as the overall best restaurant award.
“This is a phenomenal achievement. Chef Kobus van der Merwe is doing amazing work, using sustainable, seasonal and foraged ingredients in the small seaside village of Patternoster and the world is taking notice,” Minister Schäfer said.
“The Western Cape already has a reputation for fine food and wine, and I am excited that this accolade goes to a venue that is off the beaten track which will encourage more local visitors to become tourists in their province, and more international guests to see the diversity of experiences we offer,” she said.
CEO of Wesgro, Tim Harris said: “Named best restaurant in the world in one of the culinary capitals on the globe is proof that nowhere does fine food better than the Western Cape. We are immensely proud of Wolfgat and the team for putting the quaint West Coast town of Paternoster on the map. Accolades of this nature re-ignite visitors passion in our destination, compelling tourists to explore the breadth and depth of experiences available in our beautiful Province. There is quite simply nowhere better in the world than Cape Town and the Western Cape."
In their motivation for the award, the judging panel writes: “The place is super simple, rustic yet perfectly elegant. We sat by the fireplace. The restaurant is directly on the beach with an ocean view. We could watch the fishermen go out, come back and empty the catch from their brightly coloured boats.
The village of Paternoster is stucco white, like somewhere in Greece, charming and not touristy. Essentially, it’s a dream of perfect balance, unspoilt charm and accessibility. You know that feeling you get when you feel that you are among the first people to discover a place?
Media enquiries:
Bianca Capazorio
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 072 372 7044
E-mail: bianca.capazorio@westerncape.gov.za
