FOOD XX AWARDS 2024

FOOD XX AWARDS 2024

We are overjoyed to reveal the winners of this year’s Food XX Women in Food Awards! As the founders, we are incredibly proud, deeply moved, and endlessly inspired by these extraordinary women. Their achievements in reshaping the food industry, driving forward innovation, and promoting inclusivity are nothing short of remarkable. The winners embody the spirit and dedication that Food XX seeks to honour, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate them. Dive into our full press release for all the details below. Let’s celebrate these trailblazers who are setting new standards and leading the way in the world of food.

PRESS RELEASE

FOOD XX Awards 2024

Recognising 19 Women Transforming South Africa’s Food Scene

A group of 19 women from across South Africa have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to the food and hospitality industry.

The winners of the 2024 FOOD XX Awards have been revealed, with 19 pioneers honoured at a special ceremony held at Soetmelksvlei, Babylonstoren, on Wednesday, 28 August. Launched by Studio H in 2019, the biennial awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of women across the food and hospitality industry, recognising excellence in everything from farming and food styling to education, culinary heritage, and beyond.

“We were once again overwhelmed by the incredible volume of nominations," says Hannerie Visser, director and founder of Studio H. "This only strengthens our conviction that women truly are the backbone of the food and hospitality industry. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we take the time to celebrate and honour their remarkable contributions.”

The winners were those who received the most votes from a pool of over 500 candidates. Nominations were open to the public during the months of July and August, with the judging performed by an independent panel comprising winners from the year prior – as is customary at the FOOD XX Awards. This year’s panel consisted, amongst others, of Dr Anna Trapido, Zandile Finxa, Khanya Mzongwana and Errieda du Toit.

“We are thrilled to shine a light on the extraordinary women shaping the future of our industry,” says Visser. “The FOOD XX Awards are more than just a celebration of their achievements; they are a platform for amplifying their voices and fostering a community where women can inspire, uplift, and support one another across every aspect of food and hospitality.”

The 2024 FOOD XX Awards winners, by category, are as follows:

Baker: Megan Wessels, owner of With HÄRT Bakery

Behind the scenes: Chiara Turilli, co-founder of Lello’s Deli

Drinks: Danielle Schoeman, the founder and distiller at Doña Distillery

Food Educator: Debbie Ayub, co-owner & principal of Sense of Taste Chef School

Food Entrepreneur: Daniela Gutstadt, owner and executive chef of Culinary Table Restaurant and Deli in Lanseria

Farming: Iming Lin, owner of Meuse Farm

Food Heritage: Mashau Mabunda, founder of Xigugu Royalty

Food Photographer: Ashleigh Frans, owner of Wide Wing Photography

Food stylist presented by Spekko: Simone Nel

Food writer presented by Spekko: Khanya Mzongwana, Deputy Food Editor, Woolworths Taste

Front of House presented by Krone: Katlego Mathobela, head sommelier at Proud Mary

Future Food: Roushanna Gray, founder and owner of Veld and Sea

Giving Back: Nolizwe Sotondoshe, founder of Nande’s Kitchen

In The Kitchen: Jes Doveton, owner of Acid Wine Bar

Sustainability: Latiefah Behardien, the Chief Technical and Sustainability Officer at Woolworths Foods

Legacy Award: Abigail Donnelly, the Creative Food Editor at Woolworths Taste, Eat Out Chief Judge and Food Creative for Woolworths Foods Marketing

Trailblazer: Zyda Rylands, the outgoing CEO of Woolworths Foods

Chef of the Year presented by ClemenGold: Jessica van Dyk, Chef Patron at Post & Pepper

Food Icon: Xoliswa Ndoyiya, former personal chef to Nelson Mandela and custodian of Xhosa culinary culture

“Our winners are paving the way for a future where food connects us all in deeper, more meaningful ways,” says Visser. “Their creativity and determination are driving change that extends beyond the plate – redefining our relationships, our communities, and our shared experiences.”

DISNEY+ THE BEAR SEASON 3 LAUNCH

DISNEY+ THE BEAR SEASON 3 LAUNCH

THE CLIENT

Clockwork Media, for Disney+

THE BRIEF

For the launch of season 3, create an opportunity for the world of The Bear to come to life through an immersive activation that captures the essence of the show’s themes.

THE RESULT

A three-day fine dining pop-up restaurant where guests were immersed in the world of The Bear. The exterior mimicked the original sandwich shop in downtown Chicago (with arcade machines, a yellow cab, smoking grate and all), while the interior transported guests to Carmy's dream restaurant as featured in season 3. The menu, designed and executed by Michelin-trained chef Gregory Czarnecki, was carefully crafted to reflect the show's core themes.

THE TEAM

Lead agency: Clockwork Media

Design and event production: Studio H

Culinary consultation and live activation management: Studio H

Chef: Gregory Czarnecki

Kitchen team: Louise Wessels, Bianca Strydom, Cheri Kustner, Vuyo Makoba

Setbuilder and designer: Klara van Wyngaarden

Art department: Tiaan Schutte, Wolf Britz, Savannah Caster

Staffing: BlackJack Events

Logistics: DPK

Audio visual: Easy Agency

Collateral design and illustrations: Clockwork Media, Nikki Symons

Venue: Acid Food & Wine Bar

Photos: Mighty Fine for Clockwork Media, Marijke Willems

WOOLWORTHS FARMING FOR THE FUTURE

WOOLWORTHS FARMING FOR THE FUTURE

THE CLIENT

Woolworths

THE BRIEF

Design an activation that brings Woolworths' immersive digital Farming For The Future campaign to life at Decorex Cape Town.

THE RESULT

We designed an 4-day activation aimed to showcase the visionary Farming for the Future campaign. The initiative and its overarching commitment “For Our Collective Tomorrow” intends to herald a new era in farming practices. Through an interactive installation, Decorex visitors were encouraged to make a pledge to reduce their impact on the environment in exchange for an apple.

Visitors were reminded of ways in which they can reduce our impact:

  • Save energy at home
  • Change your home's source of energy
  • Walk, bike or take public transport
  • Switch to an electric vehicle
  • Consider your travel
  • Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle
  • Eat more vegetables
  • Throw away less food

THE TEAM

Concept, design and activation: Studio H

Photos and video: Warren Talmarkes

Vinyls and lifesavers: Longlife Lettering

Thank you: Decorex and Bielle Bellingham

Stand build: Happinest

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY POP-UP

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY POP-UP

THE CLIENT

Beam Suntory

THE BRIEF

Develop a disruptive earned media campaign aligned to The House of Suntory portfolio’s single minded messaging around Japanese craftsmanship in order to elevate awareness and accelerate meaning for The House of Suntory brands, whilst bringing the brand propositioning to life.  

THE RESULT

Studio H developed a consumer-first strategy that would increase the brand's most impactful channels to inspire action through shared passions by immersing the consumer in The House of Suntory brand world. The pop-up concept amplified the brands' alignment with Japanese craftsmanship that was further magnified through a programme of tastings and lifestyle Masterclasses.

The campaign coincided with Sakura (cherry blossom) season in Japan and invited consumers to immerse themselves in a sensory journey – capturing the essence of Japanese culture – at Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg.

Project Lead: JC Landman

Creative Direction and Styling: Klara van Wyngaarden

Graphic Design: Spook Design Co.

Brand Ambassadors: Just Short, Steve Zylstra

Masterclass curation: WAZA

Food service: KōL

OUR 12th BIRTHDAY POPUP

AMAZON PRIME LOLZA

AMAZON PRIME LOLZA

THE CLIENT

Ten X Collective for Amazon Prime

THE BRIEF

To celebrate the premiere of Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing in South Africa, we were asked to design and execute a menu for a South African street food village.

THE RESULT

Embracing the opportunity to be boldly innovative with an added element of heritage and humour, we created a menu that came alive with the vibrant and energetic spirit of Amazon’s iconic blue. Canapés were elevated, flavourful treats with a nostalgic twist, packaged as tuckshop snacks – think spiced biltong zoo biscuits and Nik Naks flavoured skhokho crisps. Guests got to co-create their own kotas with a selection of toppings, and choose thick or thin, long or short at the self-service “boerie bar”. The evening ended on a sweet note with “guess the flavour”" soft serve, candy floss a 10-meter-long skopas treat. Everything in bright blue!

THE TEAM

Concept, menu design, culinary curation: Studio H

Head chef: Jenny Ward

Food collaborators: Fifi Kusotera, Strone Henry, Charming Chef

Graphic design: Spook Design Co.

FOH Manager: Angelique Smith

Service: Blackjack Events

Event production: Until Until Events

INSTALLATION
FUTURE FOOD

ADIDAS EDIBLE SHOES

ADIDAS EDIBLE SHOES

THE CLIENT

Adidas

THE BRIEF

We were briefed, alongside six other artists, to re-imagine sustainable footwear for the future for the new adidas concept store in the Waterfront.

THE RESULT

As a future food design studio, our approach is deeply rooted in exploring a sustainable future. With our micro mushroom farm, we celebrate mushrooms for their ability to perform the alchemy of transforming agricultural and other organic waste into a nutritious food source. Growing mushrooms is a unique blend of recycling, science and efficacy. This powerful combination makes them one of the most sustainably produced foods in the world.

The interior of the Stan Smith shoe has been converted into a micro mushroom farm and 3-D texture was added to the exterior of the shoe by sculpting fondant and piped royal icing flavoured with dried mushroom powder. The laces are coloured with natural mushroom dye.

THE TEAM

Concept, micro mushroom farm and laces: Studio H

Exterior design: Sweet LionHeart (Nikki Symons)

LAB

SONIC SEASONING

SONIC SEASONING

Sonic seasoning is one of our favourite tools when designing experiences. The term “sonic seasoning” refers to the deliberate matching, or pairing, of sound/music with taste/flavour in order to enhance, or modify, the multisensory tasting experience.

Photos: Alix-Rose Cowie, Jade Ruijzenaars

LAB

HAPPY CAKE

HAPPY CAKE

Crowd-sourced food design: Hannerie was a speaker at the 2022 Design Summit at 100 Percent Design Africa. As part of her presentation the audience took part in a crowd-sourced food design experiment. The Happy Cake Project in collaboration with Sweet LionHeart, aimed to design the world’s happiest cake. At the Summit we presented a Beta version of the cake for everyone to taste: Kefir and cacao nib chocolate cake with honey and mucuna Swiss meringue buttercream. We asked the audience to design version 2.0 of the cake with us by voting for various options through a cloud-based platform. The audience voted that the next cake would be: 

Cake flavours: Dark chocolate (1st choice) and Sourdough honey (2nd option)

Filing and icing: Bee pollen buttercream (1st choice) & Lavender buttercream (2nd option)

Colour: Yellow

Eaten with: Your hands

Listen while eating: Happy by Pharrell Willliams

CONCEPT
PRODUCTION
INSTALLATION

WCELLAR MASTERCLASS

WCELLAR MASTERCLASS

THE CLIENT

WCellar (Woolworths)

THE BRIEF

Create an immersive in-store display for the redesigned WCellar store in Hout Bay.

THE RESULT

An interactive, tactile Masterclass detailing the process of champagne making – from grapes to bubbles, accompanied by an olfactory flavour pairing station.

THE TEAM

Concept, Design and Creative Direction: Studio H

Props and styling: Studio H

Basic structure build: Happinest

Installation: Studio H and Happinest

Graphic design: Casper Schutte, Spook

Special thanks: Hendrik Coetzee