A Dish and A Bev

Siba Mtongana with her award at the World Culinary Awards in Dubai. Image: Siba Mtongana/Instagram

Today is World Chef Day. We are shining a spotlight on the achievements of South Africa’s celebrated TV chef, cookbook author, and restauranteur, Siba Mtongana.

Siba is by far South Africa’s most well-known culinary personality. Her show, Siba’s Table on the Food Network, took her to international and global renown. She is a multi-award-winning food expert. A Harvard Case Study even highlighted her as a pioneering chef in Africa.

NTV Kenya named her Africa’s favourite chef. Tatler Magazine in Malaysia recognised her as one of seven food goddesses from around the world. This recognition places her alongside culinary icons like Nigella Lawson in the UK and Rachael Ray in the US. She has also been awarded the inaugural Trail Blazer Award by the Eat Out Awards.

This month, for the second year running, Siba: The Restaurant at the five-star Table Bay hotel received a prestigious award. It was named Africa’s Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant at the fifth annual World Culinary Awards.

Culinary professionals, media, and consumers worldwide voted for the award. It recognises Siba: The Restaurant’s commitment to excellence in fine dining. The award was announced at a gala dinner held in Dubai on October 2.

Speaking at the event, a delighted Siba said, “Family, we did it. South Africa, we did it. Africa, we did it.”

 “I am always honoured to accept this award on behalf of my team. They put in much hard work to maintain our high standards. This dedication keeps guests coming back for more. They spread the word both locally and internationally,” said chef patron Siba Mtongana. “What makes the World Culinary Awards so special is that our guests had the chance to vote. It is thanks to their love and support that we got to bring it home.”

The Table Bay hotel General Manager Joanne Selby said, “Siba is extraordinarily talented. We are extremely proud that she has chosen to partner with us. We know first-hand how much hard work Siba invests in her restaurant and in training her staff to international standards, so we salute her success and celebrate her win with her.”

Since opening a pop-up at the hotel in December 2020, and then launching her restaurant in 2021, Siba: The Restaurant has received multiple accolades including:

Top Restaurant Award for Service Excellence from the Restaurant Association of South Africa.

Best Hotel Restaurant and the Excellence Award at the Luxe Restaurant Awards.

United Kingdom’s LUXlife Magazine named Siba – The Restaurant as Cape Town’s Most Exclusive Fine Dining experience for 2023.

The Best in Hospitality and First Among Equals awards at the recent ’40 Under 40 Business Awards’.

Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant in Africa award at the World Culinary Awards in 2023 and now again in 2024.