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South Africa’s cheffing community is buzzing with excitement as Chef Ash Valenzuela-Heeger nabs the Michelin Guide’s Young Chef Award for 2025!
The win has sparked a flurry of celebrations, with fellow South African chefs flooding social media to cheer on one of their own.
The Young Chef Award shines a spotlight on rising culinary stars under 36, and this year, it’s all about Ash. Her exceptional talent has clearly left a lasting impression on Michelin’s famously elusive inspectors, who spent the past year quietly assessing her work.
These inspectors are known for their meticulous approach, judging everything from consistency and technique to quality and creative expression—and Ash ticked all the boxes.
But this award isn’t just about technical brilliance. It’s a nod to vision, leadership, and the courage to push culinary boundaries while upholding the highest standards. And if there’s one thing Ash has proven, it’s that she’s not afraid to shake things up!
Accepting the award, Ash quipped, “I’m not sure how young I am anymore, but I’m pleased – thank you very much!”
If you’re an Eat Out reader, you’ll know Ash isn’t new to the spotlight. She honed her craft at The Test Kitchen, working alongside the legendary Luke Dale Roberts in the restaurant’s trailblazing early days. She then wowed diners with her solo venture, ASH, which later evolved into the beloved Riverine Rabbit—a restaurant that quickly built a reputation for its bold, boundary-pushing approach.
These days, she’s carrying that same creative fire across the pond to Birmingham, UK, where Riverine Rabbit continues to evolve.
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“I’m not surprised that Ash has been awarded,” says Eat Out Culinary Director Abigail Donnelly.
” I’ve followed her for many years – particularly when she was at The Test Kitchen when she was with Luke Dale Roberts. She’s just a powerhouse. I also followed her when she opened up her own restaurant. Her flavours are unique – powerful and packed full of flavour. I love her energy… quite crazy and quite severe too – but in a good way, and it shows on the plate. I also loved her on the Netflix’s The Final Table. She’s a little dynamite and she’s going to go places”
That’s right, many foodies might recognise Ash from her appearance on the popular Netflix series The Final Table, where her skills were showcased on an international stage.
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The Michelin Guide website mentions the following: “Ash’s cooking had been generating buzz in Brummie circles for some time thanks to various pop-ups, before the permanent opening of her inventive and invigorating restaurant which has further strengthened the brilliant Birmingham dining scene. Her original cooking is big on flavour and draws on influences from her native South Africa to across Asia.”
One thing’s for sure—whether in SA or the UK, Ash is still serving up innovation, one plate at a time!
[Source: Eat Out]
