DUSK Goes to the Dogs with a Heartfelt Stellenbosch Collaboration

Boundary-pushing Stellenbosch restaurant DUSK has launched a deeply personal collaboration that brings together fine dining, community upliftment and animal welfare. Co-owned by restaurateur duo Callan Austin and Darren Badenhorst, DUSK has partnered with the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS); a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to rescuing, sheltering, treating, and rehoming mistreated and abandoned animals; and Clay Café Paarl at Groot Parys to create an initiative that is as heartfelt as it is inventive.

The collaboration is rooted in Executive Chef Callan Austin’s own experience. Three years ago, he adopted his first dog, Teddy, from AWSS — a decision that quietly reshaped his demanding life in hospitality. “I wanted to create something meaningful through food, using our platform to benefit an initiative that’s close to home for me,” he explains.

The idea began to take shape almost a year ago, after Austin noticed Clay Café Paarl’s paint-your-own ceramic dog bowls. With the shared enthusiasm of well-known South African culinary ambassador Tamsin Snyman, co-owner of Clay Café Paarl, the concept evolved into a playful but purposeful dining moment: a dish served in hand-painted dog bowls, each one telling a story. Once the idea was shared with AWSS, the collaboration came together organically, driven by mutual excitement and a shared goal — to raise awareness for AWSS and encourage DUSK guests to donate funds, food or even their time.

Authenticity was key. The DUSK brigade visited AWSS in person, spending time with the dogs and staff to understand the organisation’s daily realities. Today, each ceramic bowl used at the restaurant carries the painted name of a dog the team met, with several also honouring the DUSK team’s own pets — turning every serving into a quiet act of recognition.

The resulting dish, aptly named A Man’s Best Friend, now features on both of DUSK’s signature summer menus. Inspired by flavours a dog would love, it includes a Beeno-style biscuit, cold-smoked venison tartare and a smoked parmesan custard — because, as the kitchen notes, you always have to pay the “cheese tax”. The dish balances humour and nostalgia while maintaining DUSK’s trademark precision and craftsmanship.

Beyond the plate, the collaboration shines a light on the essential work of the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch. More than an adoption centre, AWSS operates a busy clinic delivering urgent, lifesaving care to injured and abandoned animals. Guided by its ethos of creating “a home before a home”, the organisation currently cares for 112 dogs and 61 cats, supported by 23 staff members, including inspectors who reach animals that might otherwise be left to suffer. A dedicated volunteer network ensures animals are walked, socialised and cared for, while the onsite veterinary clinic supports low-income pet owners across the region. Monthly running costs exceed R750 000 — a sobering reminder of the scale of the work involved.

With DUSK Goes to the Dogs, fine dining becomes a conduit for compassion, proving that creativity, community and care can coexist beautifully. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful gestures begin at home — or waiting patiently at the door.

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