The Test Kitchen In Cape Town Closes Its Doors

The South African restaurant industry is saddened by the news that the iconic and award-winning establishment, The Test Kitchen,  will be closing its doors on 30 September 2021. In a media statement on Thursday, Chef proprietor, Luke Dale Roberts said that the current global uncertainty around COVID has become difficult to sustain a restaurant of its kind and maintain everything that he believes in.

Heralded as a founding pillar of the vibrant South African fine dining landscape, The Test Kitchen has operated for eleven years, having won numerous local and international awards in that time, including ‘Eat Out Restaurant of The Year’ more than three times. 

In an interview with Eat Out, Dale Roberts provided insight into what prompted the decision to close The Test Kitchen: “There are mixed emotions, of course. I am sad in a way, but at the same time, I feel like it’s the right time to do it. It was obviously a very tough 18-months and I feel happy that we have managed to see everyone through those 18-months but in order to sustain the running of the restaurant, we need to be pretty full for lunch and dinner and with the number of people that we have running the show, I am concerned that it is not the case and it puts a lot of pressure on us.”

Not only has the restaurant produced impeccable dishes with stellar service to match, but it has also moulded the careers of many talented chefs as they underwent mentorship from Dale Roberts. This leaves a legacy as the restaurant was home to inspiration, creativity, and culinary exploration.


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