South Africa’s culinary landscape has been electrified with the announcement of Candice Philip as Chef of the Year and Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year at the highly anticipated 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards, held in Johannesburg on February 18, 2025. The awards ceremony, hosted by renowned media personality Sashi Naidoo alongside award-winning cookbook author and culinary personality Mogau Seshoene, known as The Lazy Makoti, was a resounding celebration of excellence in the dining and hospitality sectors.
Candice Philip as Chef of the Year 2025
About Candice Philip
Candice Philip is an award-winning South African chef, celebrated for her mastery in modern fine dining. With over 23 years of experience, she is known for her innovative approach to cuisine, blending simplicity with sophistication. As the executive chef of Cyra, she continues to inspire the culinary community with her bold flavours, unique pairings and artistic presentations.
IMAGE: Restaurant , Cyra
Located at the prestigious Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg, Cyra has quickly established itself as a beacon of innovation since opening in late 2022.
The Luxe Star Grading System
The Luxe Star Grading System’s rigorous evaluation process ensured fairness in its award decisions, taking into account key aspects such as quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, presentation and service. A weighted approach to scoring guarantees that every aspect of the dining experience is thoroughly assessed.
The Luxe Star Grading System, is an innovative initiative designed to set a new benchmark for excellence in the hospitality industry. Modelled after the Michelin Guide, the Luxe Star Grading System offers a prestigious and transparent grading standard, ensuring a rigorous and objective evaluation of the finest dining establishments across the country.
Chef of the Year and Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year
The standout moment of the evening was Candice Philip’s well-deserved recognition as Chef of the Year, along with her restaurant, Cyra, winning Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year. Renowned for her avant-garde approach to fine dining, Philip was honoured for her exceptional contributions to South Africa’s culinary landscape.
With her win, Candice Philip further cements her place as a pioneering force in South Africa’s fine dining scene. Cyra continues to offer an unparalleled dining experience, with a menu that embodies the essence of Candice’s creativity, passion and commitment to culinary excellence.
The 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards has once again raised the bar for the hospitality and dining sectors, ensuring that excellence remains at the heart of the South African culinary experience.
Follow Candice and Crya:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicephilip/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-philip-3520391b3/ Cyra Website: https://cyra.co.za/chef-candice/
