Test Kitchen on Top

Dale-Roberts was picked out in 2013 as "one to watch".He also runs Pot Luck Club at The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, and has expanded to The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg. He co-owns The Shortmarket Club in Cape Town's CBD — set to open on June 27 — with his wife Sandalene, a designer, and head chef Wesley Randles.

On the night, all eyes were fixed firmly on chef patron Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana in Modena, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. After years spent oscillating within the top three with Denmark's Noma and El Celler de Can Roca from Girona, on the Catalonian coast, the flamboyant chef, whose dishes embody unique modern interpretations of classic Italian cookery, was crowned number one. "My heart is exploding," he told media in a packed room immediately after the event. It is thefirst Italian restaurant to hold the prestigious accolade.

"Everything has changed around the last 15 years in gastronomy," he said. Bottura, who holds three Michelin stars and is known for his deeply creative nature, has placed Modena on the world's culinary map in recent years, drawing inspiration from art and music.

While the camaraderie between chefs appears to be genuine, there's no denying the boost in business an award like this brings. "Last year, there were more than a thousand queries in two days, something crazy like that," Dale-Roberts said of the award. "It's great for team spirit and morale." Dale-Roberts said his kitchen teams function like part of his own family. "We're extremely close. I think staff show you the loyalty and respect you show them." Dale-Roberts, who cites music as a key inspiration, along with the quality of ingredients he as access to, plans to revamp The Test Kitchen over the month of August, and open a unique theatrical experience featuring sound and a light show in an environment that will call on all of a diners' senses. And to give more patrons a fair chance of acquiring a table, particularly the locals, Dale-Roberts has since moved to change the reservation system to an online one that opens for a month ahead of the date of a booking.

The 2016 List (numbers 25 to 1):

25. Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico

24. Le Bernardin, New York, US

23. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand

22. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town, SA

21. Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain

20. Amber, Hong Kong, China

19. Arpège, Paris, France

18. White Rabbit, Moscow, Russia

17. Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy

16. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain

15. Alinea, Chicago, US

14. The Ledbury, London, UK

13. Maido, Lima, Peru

12. Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico

11. DOM, São Paulo, Brazil

10. Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain

9. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria

8. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan

7. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain

6. Mirazur, Menton, France

5. Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark

4. Central, Lima, Peru

3. Eleven Madison Park, New York, US

2. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain

1. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy