Chef Peter Tempelhoff, co-owner and founder of FYN Restaurant in Cape Town, has made history as the first South African chef to be awarded Three Knives at the Best Chef Awards, as announced during the 2025 ceremony held last night at Studio 90 in Milan, Italy.
Tempelhoff was one of 15 South African chefs who were awarded Knives this year.
The Best Chef Awards’ distinctive knife rating system recognises chefs across three tiers: one knife (Excellent), two knives (World Class), and three knives (The Best).
Tempelhoff’s There Knives award places him among an elite global circle of chefs recognised for mastery, creativity, and impact.
“This recognition is both humbling and invigorating,” said Tempelhoff. “It’s not just a milestone for me personally, but for our entire team at FYN. We’ve always believed in the potential of our cuisine and produce to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best, and this award shows what’s possible when vision, craft, and dedication come together.”
This year, a record 783 chefs were awarded in total, recognising culinary professionals across six continents.
The South Africa awardees are:
Callan Austin, Dusk
Stellenbosch, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
James Gaag, La Colombe
Cape Town, South Africa
Two Knives
World Class
Johannes Richter, The Livingroom at Summerhill Estate
Durban, South Africa
Two Knives
World Class
John Norris Rogers, Pier
Cape Town, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Liam Tomlin, Chefs Warehouse
Cape Town, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Matt van den Berg, MERTIA
Stellenbosch, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Moses Besele Moloi. Gigi
Johannesburg, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Peter Duncan, Le Petite Colombe
Cape Town, South Africa
Two knives
World Class
Rikkū O’Donnchu, Rikū ’s Counter
Cape Town, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Peter Tempelhoff, Fyn
Cape Town, South Africa
Three Knives
The Best
Roxie Mudie,The Waterside
Cape Town, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Ryan Cole, Salsify at The Roundhouse
Cape Town, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Vixa Kalenga, Tang
Cape Town, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Vusi Ndlovu, EDGE
Cape Town, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
Wandile Mabaso, Les Creatifs
Johannesburg, South Africa
One Knife
Excellent
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Four of their chefs on the list are from the La Colombe Group: James Gaag, Peter Duncan, John Norris-Rogers and Roxy Mudie.
Says Gaag, “It’s an absolute honour to be recognised alongside so many chefs I admire. This award is not just for me, but for the entire La Colombe team who put their heart into every plate and service. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this journey, and proud of Peter, John and Roxy for earning a spot on the global stage for their work.”
Speaking on his Two Knives award, Chef Peter Duncan said: “I’m deeply humbled and honoured to be recognised as part of The Best Chef Award 2025. It’s truly a dream come true, and I’m grateful for this opportunity. I’d like to express my sincere appreciation for this acknowledgment.”
Pier Head Chef John Norris-Rogers, who was awarded One Knife, commented: “It’s an immense privilege to be recognised on a global scale. I am incredibly honoured and grateful to be included among such incredible chefs. All credit to the whole team who put in a huge effort”.
From the global community of extraordinary talent, three chefs rose to the very top. Rasmus Munk retained the crown as The Best Chef in the world, with Ana Roš and Himanshu Saini joining him on the podium.
1ST PLACE: Rasmus Munk – Alchemist, Denmark At Alchemist, Rasmus Munk fuses science, art, and theatre to transform dining into an immersive experience. His back-to-back win confirms him as one of the most visionary chefs in the world today.
2ND PLACE: Ana Roš – Hiša Franko, Slovenia Ana Roš brings bold flavours and Slovenian terroir to life through daring tasting menus that balance heritage with global influence. Her cooking has firmly placed Slovenia on the international culinary map.
3RD PLACE: Himanshu Saini – Trèsind Studio, UAE Himanshu Saini reinvents Indian cuisine at Trèsind Studio with modernist precision and deep respect for tradition. His recognition marks the UAE’s growing presence in global gastronomy.
Rasmus Munk said: “Winning this award for the second year is not just a personal honour, it’s a recognition of the entire team at Alchemist. My hope is that gastronomy continues to evolve beyond craftsmanship alone. Food can be a powerful medium, one that sparks conversations, raises questions, and inspires change. I’m honoured to be listed alongside so many brilliant chefs, and I believe that we all have a role to play in shaping the future of food.”
Cristian Gadau, Co-founder and CEO of The Best Chef, said: “The Best Chef Awards are more than just a celebration of culinary excellence. They are a reflection of a community that continues to grow and inspire. With nearly double the number of voters this year, we see the global appetite for innovation, diversity, and collaboration in gastronomy stronger than ever. Our mission has always been to create a platform that honours chefs not only for their skill, but also for their vision and impact, while making this world of creativity accessible to everyone who loves food. Each edition of The Best Chef awards aims to create a more inclusive list for everyone, regardless of their background or income, making it less elitist and more inclusive for all humanity.”
