Creation Wines in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom near the seaside town of Hermanus is delighted to have been awarded one-star status at the prestigious Eat Out Awards ceremony held on Sunday, 19 November in Cape Town.
Established in 1998, Eat Out is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most definitive and independent restaurant guides. Their annual Eat Out Awards recognise and applaud culinary excellence in the restaurant industry. This year’s criteria spanned the entire spectrum of the dining experience, including décor, ambience, service, the wine list and the quality of the ingredients.
According to Creative Director, Carolyn Martin, the Creation culinary team has been working towards excellence for the past ten years. “Gastronomes can delight in seasonal, locally sourced, healthy food paired with our fine wines. The senses are the pathways to the mind and guests are treated to tactile and auditory experiences that add a new dimension to exploring the Creation terroir. Our chefs and sommeliers love to bring their diverse cultural heritage to the table, offering innovative, re-imagined dishes that trigger all the senses and leave an indelible culinary impression.”
At Creation, one of the key factors of sustainable wine tourism is the focus on their people. Team members are selected from the immediate surroundings and offered ongoing opportunities to advance their skills. These include sommelier, WSET and chef training. When designing their menus, the culinary team works with neuroscientists, naturopaths, doctors, nutritionists, occupational therapists, and psychologists. “Working with scientists helps us to understand nature better and educate all facets of our team, from viticulture to our cellar door and Tasting Room,” says Carolyn.
Training also includes leadership training, communication courses and lectures on mental health. This investment is felt by all members of the team who see their progression at Creation as a career. It results in a cohesive and supportive approach and guests often remark on the caring attitude of the Tasting Room team. The broader vision is to expand horizons and create a world view; to this end four members of the culinary team have recently had the opportunity to gain international experience in top European establishments. “A global culinary/hospitality visa would assist in building cultural diversity and inclusion,” Carolyn adds.
At Creation, the Tasting Room is seen as a communication hub where the team members actively listen to, and learn from their guests. This sets up a cycle of innovative and sustainable solutions. Their latest seasonal menu, developed with Dr Julienne Fenwick (MBChB), is a case in point. It is inspired by Ayurveda and based on the belief that our health relies on our harmony and balance with the elements.
“Nature, by its very essence, heals us,” says Dr Fenwick, adding that there has been a paradigm shift in the approach to wine consumption: “People are starting to explore the impact of sharing good wine and good food with good people for the medicine it is. By mindfully connecting over the art of wine and food, we can optimise our wellness.”
“We consider our guests informal ambassadors for Creation, with many returning regularly to explore our seasonal menus. This word of mouth is critical to building our reputation,” says Carolyn. “Sustainability is key to every stage of making our wine and healthy food. We eat sequentially to keep blood sugar levels low and energy high. We aim to produce fine wines, excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and pair this with equally fine food. Every dawn brings a new challenge, but innovation is a way of life at Creation; this is how we problem-solve to be more sustainable.”
Creation’s commitment to a sustainable wine tourism industry has been well documented and the prestigious Eat Out Award rating gives further inspiration and impetus to the team. Driven by her deep love and passion for both food and people, Creation Executive Chef Eleanor Coetzee promises ‘an exciting culinary journey to engage guests’ senses’. “The Eat Out star is a team dream realised and we could not be prouder! We love preparing healthy, delicious dishes with fun sensory experiences that not only titillate the senses but also tell the story of the terroir and pair with our fine wines. Our intention is that guests feel so good, they come back for more!”
