Why Woodford Reserve Celebrates South African Design At DOTY
For Woodford Reserve, great hospitality is about more than what is served at the table or poured into a glass. It is about the considered details that shape an experience, from the atmosphere of a space to the craftsmanship behind its design. As sponsor of the Restaurant of the Year category at the 2026 House & Garden Designer of the Year Awards, the bourbon brand is celebrating the South African designers and creatives creating memorable spaces for people to gather, dine and connect. Here, Woodford Reserve shares what excellence in hospitality design means to the brand, what it will be looking for among this year’s nominees and why supporting local creative talent matters.
What drew you to sponsor this particular category at the House & Garden Designer of the Year Awards, and why does it feel like the right fit for your brand?
The Bar & Restaurant category is a natural fit for Woodford Reserve because we share a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and attention to detail. Great hospitality spaces bring together thoughtful design, atmosphere and exceptional drinking experiences, much like the care that goes into every bottle of Woodford Reserve. As a brand closely connected to cocktail culture and the iconic Old Fashioned, we’re proud to celebrate the designers creating exceptional spaces where people come together to enjoy beautifully crafted experiences.
What qualities do you believe define excellence in this area of design, and what will you be looking for in this year’s nominees?
Excellence is about creating a place that feels considered, memorable and authentic. The restaurants and bars that stand out are often the ones where every detail serves a purpose and contributes to a bigger experience. We’re always drawn to work that feels intentional, dynamic and executed exquisitely.
What does supporting and celebrating South African design talent mean to your brand, particularly at a platform as established as House & Garden Designer of the Year?
It means everything. As we continue to establish our footprint in South Africa, we want to ensure that we are partnering with and celebrating local excellence. South African creatives continue to produce work that is not only world-class, but uniquely their own and as a brand that values mastery and the pursuit of excellence, we’re proud to support a platform that recognises the people shaping the future of South African design.
Beyond recognising a winning project or designer, what do you hope this category brings to the wider design conversation?
We hope it highlights the role hospitality spaces play in bringing people together. Great restaurants and bars are often where ideas are shared, milestones are celebrated and memories are made. Recognising excellence in this category encourages a broader conversation about how thoughtful design can influence not only how spaces look, but how they make people feel.
What does House & Garden Designer of the Year mean to you, and why do you think awards like these remain important to the design industry?
Awards like these create space to celebrate the people behind the work. They recognise the dedication, resilience and creativity that it takes to produce art at such a high level. House & Garden Designer of the Year has become an important platform because it champions excellence and gives exceptional talent the recognition it deserves.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of South African design, and what role do you see your brand playing in supporting it?
What excites us most is seeing South African designers become increasingly confident in telling their own stories and creating work that is both locally relevant and globally admired. We see our role as continuing to support platforms that celebrate creativity, craftsmanship and innovation. The more we can champion people who are dedicated to their craft, the stronger the future of South African design will be.
As South African design continues to develop its own distinctive voice, Woodford Reserve sees an opportunity to support the people and platforms championing that creativity. For the brand, the Restaurant of the Year category is ultimately about recognising more than a beautifully designed space – it is about celebrating the craftsmanship, intention and human connection that make hospitality memorable. Through its partnership with the House & Garden Designer of the Year Awards, Woodford Reserve hopes to contribute to a wider appreciation of the designers shaping the future of South African hospitality and design.
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Woodford