South Africa, Cape Town, 18 February 2025: Visionary South African chefs Darren Badenhorst and Callan Austin – known for their multi-sensory dining experience, DUSK, in the Winelands town of Stellenbosch – are set to unveil next month their latest collaborative culinary address, DAWN by DUSK. Signifying a bold evolution in classical private event dining, DAWN by DUSK is where craftsmanship, creativity, and a soupçon of science converge to deliver a world-class exclusive experience.

At its core, DAWN by DUSK is a test kitchen – a living laboratory where Executive Chef Callan Austin has a quiet home to conjure new ideas; to push the boundaries of his culinary technique and ability. This intimate, kitchen-first setting accommodates up to twenty-four guests at a single communal table, with the option to divide into two smaller tables for more intimate gatherings of ten. Each gathering at DAWN is a bespoke, multi-sensory experience, blurring the lines between the artist and the audience; chef and patron.

The open kitchen, situated at eye level, invites diners to witness every detail of the culinary process. A 45-degree show kitchen mirror hung above the pass offers a unique vantage point, transforming the dining room into a theatre of culinary performance. Every skilful movement and play-of-knife from the chefs is visible, creating a deeply personal connection between those crafting the meal and those savouring it.

The interior is filled with cookbooks for chefs, house-made ferments, rare wines, and artisanal spirits. It serves as both laboratory and gallery, fostering creativity while offering diners a glimpse into the meticulous processes that define DAWN’s philosophy.

Menus at DAWN are malleable. Each occasion is a thoughtfully curated response to the season, the preferences of the client, and the chefs’ latest inspirations. This fluid approach rejects traditional formats in favour of a more adaptive, personalised experience. Every dish tells a story, crafted with precision and a deep respect for the integrity of each ingredient.

Chef Callan Austin’s expertise in fermentation plays a central role in shaping DAWN’s culinary narrative. The age-old process of fermentation is at the fore, bringing depth and intrigue to each dish, while hyper-local and sustainably sourced produce reflects the changing rhythms of nature – culinary alchemy at its finest. The venue is also more than an experience for diners – it is a sanctuary for independent craftsmen, from cellar masters and distillers to merchants and farmers; a chapeau to small-batch producers and the like.

Chefs Badenhorst and Austin will also be collaborating with like-minded chefs and producers from around the country and internationally to offer ‘four-hands’ styled culinary events as well as hosting kitchen demos in partnership with premium culinary and beverage brands.

Says Badenhorst, “Since opening DUSK in 2023, Stellenbosch has cemented itself as the epicentre of commerce – from private banking to farming – in the greater Winelands region, and we realised that an ultra-exclusive private dining space is what is desired by many of the who’s who of the town. Callan and I are extremely excited to open the doors to DAWN by DUSK!”

DAWN by DUSK is available for private celebrations, exclusive corporate gatherings and bespoke luxury brand showcases between ten and twenty-four guests. For booking enquiries, email reservations@duskrestaurant.co.za or book online via www.duskrestaurant.co.za

For collaboration proposals, please email callan@duskrestaurant.co.za

For press enquiries, contact Lise and Ian Manley of Manley Communications Atelier at premierbrands@publicity.co.za.

ENDS/