Johannesburg – Being a consummate lover of things, off I went to the LUXE Hosco Restaurant Awards at the Leonardo Hotel, which is the latest and hottest hangout for the rich and aimless.
This was the awards’ third year and it was wonderful to be surrounded by such a well-dressed and skilled crowd.
Held at the Aurum, a stunning restaurant known for its modern interpretation of European cuisine, I wondered what on earth was going on because it looked more like a fashion launch.
Who knew the culinary crowd was so stylish?
Spotted Sophie Ndaba taking pictures of herself and minded my business because she was looking fine in her black and gold number.
I’m not sure if she is dating again because she was very tight with Simphiwe Majola, who will attend the opening of an envelope.
The pair whispered sweet nothings and I had to find a less engaged couple.
That’s when I bumped into the stunning restaurant owner Nicky van der Walt and his gorgeous model wife Lee-Ann Liebenberg, who were also all over each other as if they were still dating despite the fact that they have three children.
We love the pair as they are always in a good mood, are the most attractive couple in any room and, yes, they won an award for the trendy spot called TANG in Sandton.
Some questioned how they could have won when they only opened three weeks ago but were ignored as they were not invited.
Great to see the culinary industry so well-dressed even if chefs bumped into each other in identical outfits.
It was funny to see twin chefs and authors Tebo and Lebo Ndala side-eye an Expresso presenter in an identical outfit. I’m not sure why they were so tight with Chef Nti, who also looked delightful in a black dress with feathers. Maybe they were taking flying lessons – a lovely bunch of chefs, even if they seemed to be following each other the whole night.
Prizes were awarded and owners and chefs went up to receive awards as if it were the Oscars, which was befitting as the Aurum is stunning and reminded one of Dubai with its lounges around the pool.
Chef Nti was awarded the recipient of the Culinary Icon Award and we think television presenter, Thabiso Makhubela from Expresso, also deserved an award for looking so fine for a Tuesday evening.
I was hoping to spot chef Lucia Mthiyane, but it was a room full of extraordinary restaurateurs, from food trucks to fine dining.
Oh, Marble won and we expected Greg Maloka to go up and receive the award, but it turns out nobody was around to pick it up. Too busy Greg?
Of course, there was a sore loser as one chef banged tables claiming he should have won because he has more food trucks than Jaden Smith, but he was ignored while the MC, Shashi Naidoo, did a stellar job.
She looked thinner, colourful and beautiful in her Indian garb despite the plastic surgery that was never necessary as she is stunning.
There was no entertainment, we were concentrating on the fine dining and serving staff who looked like they walked off a Vogue shoot.
A great function and the culinary industry is much more glamorous than we know, and we too are grateful that the restaurants have reopened and our sugar daddies can treat us.
I loved the pork belly and the springbok loin.
Thanks for the invite and keep feeding us, they say we look like biltong.
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