Login here! 
Written by It was Time Magazine that said November 24, 2010, was the day that Woodstock officially became “Cape Town’s hottest district…when Luke Dale-Roberts opened The Test Kitchen there.”
Luke Dale Roberts had spent several years turning La Colombe into an internationally recognized restaurant. When it was time to leave he said he chose The Old Biscuit Mill as he wanted an avant garde environment and he specifically wanted a warehouse where he could put the kitchen in the middle and build the restaurant around it.
Woodstock had for many years been a run down area of Cape Town and it was only in 2003 that things began to change. Local businesses backed by the city’s Mayor began a rejuvenation project and Woodstock and the Old Bicsuit Mill in particular became a “Foodie Mecca” with weekend food stalls, café’s and restaurants arriving. This all culminated with the arrival of one of the countries top chefs in Luke Dale Roberts and The Test Kitchen.
I wanted to put the kitchen in the middle of the warehouse and build the restaurant around it
Initially it was to be a 10 seater restaurant open only 2 nights a week but quickly realised that that type of business model could only end in disaster and as the idea evolved it became a small restaurant that would focus on creativity, flavour combinations and intimacy.
Luke has received two major South African awards, Chef of the Year 2011 and Restaurant of the Year 2012, along with recognition by San Pellegrino Worlds Best Restaurants for The Test Kitchen ranked at 74th in 2012.
You can find The Test Kitchen as Shop 105a, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.
Booking: (27) (21) 447 2337, email [email protected] or book online via www.thetestkitchen.co.za
Opening hours: Lunch Tuesday to Saturday: 12.30pm to 2pm and Dinner from Tuesday to Saturday: 7pm to 9.30pm
