We love a bit of good news! South Africa’s culinary community is buzzing with pride as Chef Ash Valenzuela-Heeger has been honoured with the MICHELIN Guide’s Young Chef Award for 2025 at the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland held in Glasgow last night (10 February 2025). Although Ash no longer operates here, this remarkable achievement is widely applauded as a win for the South African food scene, where she nurtured her talent. 

Image © MICHELIN

We caught up with Ash just after she received the accolade: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be chosen as Young Chef of 2025, as well as being awarded a Bib Gourmand for the Rabbit. Michelin has been and always will be the gold standard of accolades for me and it’s a publication that I’ve been collecting from a very young age. It feels like a dream come true to be seen for all the hard work Erin and I have poured into our food and service for the last year and beyond,” says Ash.

A Route to the Rabbit

Ash’s path to international recognition is rooted in years of dedication and culinary innovation. Many South African food enthusiasts will remember her early career at The Test Kitchen, where she refined her skills under the mentorship of Luke Dale Roberts. She also honed her skills in 2 of the UK’s top Michelin-starred restaurants, The Ledbury and Dinner [by Heston].

She later embarked on her own ventures, starting with ASH, which celebrated the art of charcoal cooking and captured the imagination of Capetonian diners. This concept eventually evolved into the acclaimed Riverine Rabbit, renowned for its bold and creative approach to dining. The menu, which challenged palates and pushed boundaries, quickly became a local favourite, and food lovers were bleak when Ash decided to relocate to the UK.

Image © The Rabbit

Birmingham was fortunate to become home to The Rabbit, which initially garnered attention through a series of pop-ups before establishing a permanent presence. Ash’s inventive culinary style has consistently earned praise, including a recent Bib Gourmand awarded by the MICHELIN Guide (recognition from MICHELIN for restaurants that are known for serving excellent food at reasonable prices). Her influence on the UK food scene has been undeniable. The Bib Gourmand, as well as this latest prestigious award, recognises her years of hard work, evolution, and reinvention in an industry that is both demanding and ever-changing.

A Remarkable Achievement

The Michelin Guide’s recognition highlights Ash’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her success continues to inspire a new generation of chefs who are carrying South African flavours and culinary creativity to international audiences. We eagerly anticipate what’s next for The Rabbit and Ash as they continue their remarkable journey.

Our heartiest congrats to Ash, Erin, her wife, who manages front of house in the evenings, (as well as having a full-time day job!) and the rest of the team at The Rabbit on this hard-earned and deserved recognition. 

Image © The Rabbit

riverinerabbit.co.uk