The public battled it out by voting, on steakhunter.co.za, and their favorite 20 steakhouses went to the judges’ round – and ultimately it was Little Havana in Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu Natal that claimed top honors, and two times winner The Local Grill in Parktown North that was judged the 2015 Runner-Up.
The Regional Winners for 2015 are:
Eastern Cape: The Cricketer, East London
Gauteng: The Local Grill, Parktown North – 2015 Runner-Up
KwaZulu Natal: Little Havana, Umhlanga Rocks – 2015 Champion
Mpumalanga: Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill, Hazyview
Western Cape: Theo’s Grill and Butchery, Mouille Point
The judges visited and reviewed all 20 Finalists during June and while these 20 are South Africa’s favorites for 2015, when it came to judging, two of the 20 stood out above the rest. Ultimately it was Little Havana’s expertise in all matters meat, consistent service and accurate grilling that makes them South Africa’s 2015 Steakhouse Champion, with The Local Grill in Parktown North (2013 and 2014 Champion) the worthy 2015 Runner-Up. We congratulate them heartily and thank the public for a fantastic third year.
The 2015 Champion was announced on 30th June at an impressive function in Johannesburg, hosted by the 2013 and 2014 Champion, The Local Grill in Parktown North. All 20 finalists were present as well as an excited group of media and friends from the industry. The Local Grill’s dedicated and passionate team pulled out all the stops at the luncheon, treating the guests to a 4-course lunch, served with The Wolftrap wine.
This is how The Wolftrap Steakhouse Championships 2015 worked: during the Open Round, South Africa voted for its favourite steakhouse; and then the Top 20 went through to the next round. These 20 were visited, unannounced, by expert judges headed by Pete Goffe-Wood and were assessed according to a strict score sheet.
This makes The Wolftrap Steakhouse Championships a blend of public involvement and expert arbitration – and the ultimate winner is therefore not only very good indeed, but also a public favourite. For the winner the spoils: the ultimate bragging rights of being the Champion for a year, and also a full year’s supply of The Wolftrap wine.