PROMOTION: Restaurant places Pennington on culinary map
For the local chef, the award is about far more than great food.
One of Pennington‘s own has once again shown what local passion and determination can achieve.
Kayla-Ann’s Restaurant, situated at Umdoni Point Sports & Leisure, has officially been recognised as an Eat Out Neighbourhood Gem for 2026, placing the restaurant among South Africa’s favourite independent dining destinations.
The Eat Out Neighbourhood Gems programme, presented in partnership with Woolworths, celebrates restaurants that have become treasured parts of their communities and are recommended by chefs and food industry professionals for exceptional food, warm hospitality and consistently memorable experiences.
For owner and head chef Kayla-Ann Osborn, the award is about far more than great food.
After building a career in some of South Africa’s leading restaurants – including winning the Eat Out Rising Star Award, working in London, leading award-winning kitchens and appearing as a television cooking judge on MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules South Africa – she chose to return to the South Coast to build something meaningful at home.
Over the last three years, Kayla-Ann has grown from opening a single restaurant to creating three thriving hospitality businesses and launching a culinary school that will train the next generation of chefs, all while creating jobs and investing back into the local economy.
The recognition is also a win for Pennington and the greater South Coast, showcasing the region as a destination where visitors can enjoy outstanding dining experiences alongside spectacular coastal scenery.
“This award is proof that small businesses can compete on the biggest stages,” said Kayla-Ann.
“We hope it encourages people to continue supporting local businesses because every meal enjoyed, every coffee shared, and every visit makes a difference.”
For the Pennington community, it is another proud reminder that world-class talent can come from small towns – and sometimes chooses to come home.
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