… and back for seconds in the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge
Potchefstroom’s award-winning Oukraal restaurant proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary this year under the stewardship of Gerhard and Riana du Preeze and what a delicious decade it has been.
Last year they entered the nationwide Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge for the first time and ended up as second runners-up! An impressive achievement for any establishment let alone a newcomer from the North West Province!
Says Gerhard du Preeze: “The recognition gave us a huge boost in confidence and visibility and the exposure from the competition introduced us to many new customers who have since become loyal supporters. It has also helped strengthen our brand in the Potchefstroom area, showing that Oukraal is more than just a place to eat – it’s a place where people come together to enjoy quality food, good company and a welcoming atmosphere.”
Du Preeze is delighted that the recognition Oukraal gained went even further as the eatery was nominated in the Best of Potch – Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 as the Best Restaurant in Potchefstroom: “This nomination was a huge milestone for us and proof that the effort and passion we put into our food and service is truly making an impact in our community,” he adds.
The establishment has proudly entered the contest again this year with public voting currently open and running until October 31.
“This year our strategy is to continue to focus on what makes Oukraal special – promoting our famous pizzas and showcasing the passion behind everything we serve. We will make sure our community knows how much their support means to us and how every vote helps us grow. While we may not be changing our approach drastically, we believe that our consistency, combined with our loyal customers who love our food, will be key in gaining even more votes this year. At Oukraal, it’s about staying authentic and letting the quality of our pizzas speak for itself.”
The restaurant has added a number of new pizzas to its menu including:
- The Black Pepper Steak Pizza – a rich and hearty option featuring tender steak strips and mushrooms in a creamy black pepper sauce. A true indulgence for meat lovers.
- The Q – a classic favourite reimagined, topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, cheddar and garlic – the perfect balance of flavour and comfort.
- The R.B\&B – a proudly South African creation with rump, bacon, biltong, fried onions and chutney. It’s smoky, savoury and slightly sweet – a real crowd-pleaser that celebrates local tastes.
“These pizzas have already become customer favourites and highlight our commitment to keeping the menu exciting and fresh,” says Riana du Preeze. “All our food is made fresh daily, by hand and with care. Our pizzas aren’t just meals – they are crafted with passion by our staff, using the freshest ingredients to ensure every bite is bursting with flavour.
“At Oukraal, we believe in more than just serving food – we believe in creating memories. Whether it’s families sharing a meal, students gathering after a big game or friends catching up with each other, Oukraal has become a place where the Potchefstroom community feels at home.”
Oukraal is located at 78 Steve Biko Avenue Shop 1 & 2 Classic Square, Potchefstroom. Tel: +27 18 294 4678 for bookings or other enquiries. For more information, visit https://oukraal.web360.co.za or follow them on social media on Facebook (@oukraalpotch) and Instagram (@oukraalpotch).
How the 2025 Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge works
Any restaurant in South Africa that makes and sells pizza and holds a valid liquor license can enter. Participating pizzerias must feature at least two Porcupine Ridge wines (a red and a white or rosé); display in-venue promotional material (POS packs, tent cards, stickers); and encourage diners to vote via QR codes or the official site: https://votepizza.wine/.
Voting is open to the public until October 31, with each voter allowed up to 10 votes per email address.
So what’s up for grabs? For restaurants, the rewards are delicious, with the winning pizzeria receiving bragging rights, a bespoke winner’s paddle, Porcupine Ridge marketing collateral and wine valued at R40 000 as well as R900 in vouchers and three cases of wine to award to their waiting staff. Those restaurants placed second and third are also awarded Porcupine Ridge marketing collateral, wine and vouchers for their top-performing team members,
For voters, there’s even more to celebrate, including weekly prizes of a case of Porcupine Ridge wine and EarthFire pizza accessories. At the close of the challenge, a grand prize winner will be chosen and will take home an EarthFire Tabletop Pizza Oven, a year’s worth of pizza from their favourite finalist (up to R2 000), and five cases of Porcupine Ridge wine – a total prize value of almost R10 000.
For more details and to vote, visit: https://votepizza.wine/