“It has been 14 formidable and stimulating years since Chania and I began The Reaching for Young Stars programme,” says Annette Kesler of Showcook.com. “We have seen many profound changes in curriculum, commitment and professionalism as our culinary academies rose to meet fresh challenges. There is a greater understanding today of a rapidly changing hospitality industry. It has been a great pleasure seeing the incredible progress our young stars have made over this time, a huge source of pride and pleasure for us both.”
The Mount Nelson Reaching for Young Stars is the major showcase in the Western Cape for culinary academies who put forward their most talented young students, all vying for top honours.
Showcook continues to broaden horizons, offering a growth path, fostering and encouraging entrepreneurship for students to prove themselves and ultimately win recognition leading to genuine career advancement to provide those next steps after graduation. With the assistance of dedicated partners Showcook is able to provide superb opportunities to winners both in America and in France as well as in South Africa’s top hotels where they are willing to share their expertise to nurture and grow our young South African talent to meet the needs of our vital and burgeoning tourism industry.
Our new home is the Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town where General Manager Tiago Moraes Sarmento has generously hosted the Skills Exchange Development Programme and Awards.
“To succeed in the art of hospitality,” says Tiago Sarmento, “one needs to be driven by an inner passion for human connection and creativity, and to have an innate generosity of spirit. The “Nellie” is devoted to cultivating and nurturing that fervour in younger generations, and to help craft tomorrow’s leaders in the world of hospitality.” General Manager Mount Nelson Hotel, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
#Postcardsfromtheworld – A quick catch-up… Denzil Pedro (The Private Hotel School, 2020) is currently experiencing a three weeks internship in Dubai at One&Only The Palm and One&Only Royal Mirage – flights courtesy of Denny Mushrooms. Next year, he will be travelling to America to Cape Cod, Massachusetts where currently Oigen Kaptein (The Private Hotel School, 2019), Luke Bergman (Sense of Taste Chef School, 2019), Wisani Marivati (The Private Hotel School, 2020), Jadon Lee Harilall (Cape Town Hotel School, 2021) and Braam Potgieter (The Hurst Campus, 2021) are working with fellow South Africans Chef Patron Phillip & Tracey Hunt at Winslow’s Tavern.This top heritage restaurant is housed in an historic Federalist building in scenic Wellfleet where the highly esteemed 170 seat restaurant produces an all American seasonal menu heavily influenced by coastal cuisines and remains the talk of Cape Cod.
Jadon Lee Harilall, the 2021 Reaching for Young Stars Chef of the Year, on his return from Cape Cod will be visiting Rwanda, a stunning destination at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and following that he will be doing a stint at One&Only Nyungwe House. A great three weeks internship in a remote but magical place – flights courtesy Denny Mushrooms.
Amoré Bezuidenhout, the 2020 Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year, is currently in Boussac, France at Château de la Creuzette with Louis Jansen van Vuuren and Hardy Olivier for three months – flights courtesy of Lancewood.
Judging from past winners these are amazing experiences that have stood them in good stead for their futures and on their return they are able to pass on much they have learned.
WELCOME TOAST
KWV Brandy & Cruxland Gin Cocktails
Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks & S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna
BIO-WHEAT BREAD COURSE WITH LANCEWOOD
RIO LARGO OLIVE OIL &
BALSAMIC VINEGAR
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Wendy Coetzee
WELCOME
Tiago Sarmento General Manager
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
Cape Town
STARTER
Denny Mushroom ravioli | Mushroom cap | Sweet and sour pickled mushroom | Garlic cauliflower crème
Anthonij Rupert Wyne ~ Cape of Good Hope Caroline Riebeeksrivier 2018 Krone Kaaimansgat Blanc de Blancs 2016
Neethlingshof Short Story Collection ~ The Six Flowers 2021
Showcook has been known for introducing top professionals in their field to engage with young people. Rudi Liebenberg, Executive Chef Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town and Food Judge says, “Every young person in industry needs to invest in their futures and, win or lose, this competition sets an amazing base to learn and grow.”
Hot Chefs:
- 1st: Terise Pillay INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SCHOOL (IHS)
- 2nd: Chulumanco Mavuso CAPE TOWN HOTEL SCHOOL Faculty of Business and Management Sciences Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- 3rd: Marthinus Terblanche CHEFS TRAINING AND INNOVATION ACADEMY (CTIA)
Pastry Chefs:
- ULTIMATE LANCEWOOD YOUNG STAR PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR: Chanda du Plooy FALSE BAY TVET COLLEGE
- 2nd: Chloë Joubert CHEFS TRAINING AND INNOVATION ACADEMY (CTIA)
- 3rd: Skyler Fillies INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SCHOOL (IHS)
DELECTABLE DENNY STARTER: Terise Pillay INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SCHOOL – Double stuffed ravioli made with Bio-Wheat flour with a creamy Lancewood cheese and delicate Denny mushroom filling, served with a mushroom broth topped with sautéed exotic mushrooms and a drizzle of Rio Largo lemon infused olive oil
BEST MAIN COURSE: Chef Marthinus Terblanche CHEFS TRAINING AND INNOVATION ACADEMY – Certified Karoo Lamb glazed and coated with Senqu River pistachios served with a tomato risotto, fondant baby onions and carrot purée. Topped with pickled baby carrots and saffron broccoli with lamb jus
ULTIMATE LANCEWOOD DESSERT: Chanda du Plooy FALSE BAY TVET COLLEGE – Almond and Pistachio Chocolate Cake with ClemenGold Sauce
See entries here…
Beverage Students:
- 1st: Craig Munemo SUPERYACHT CULINARY ACADEMY & SIMONSIG
- 2nd: Gustav Duvenhage CHEFS TRAINING AND INNOVATION ACADEMY (CTIA) & KRONE
- 3rd: Don Johnson Nkomo THE HURST CAMPUS & LA MOTTE
BEST KWV BRANDY COCKTAIL: Gustav Duvenhage
CHEFS TRAINING AND INNOVATION ACADEMY (CTIA)
BEST CRUXLAND GIN COCKTAIL: Craig Munemo
SUPERYACHT CULINARY ACADEMY
BEST SANPELLEGRINO ITALIAN SPARKLING COCKTAIL: Lyam Johnson INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SCHOOL
See entries here…
Wine Academy Top Results include –
Lyam Johnson INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SCHOOL
Je’maine Cloete CAPSICUM CULINARY STUDIO
Gustav Duvenhage & Martinus Terblanche
CHEFS TRAINING & INNOVATION ACADEMY
Köhn du Toit & Don Nkomo
THE HURST CAMPUS
Kgaogelo Magopane COOKTASTIC
Cape Wine AcademyPrincipal Heidi Duminy says, “The Cape Wine Academy is so excited to share an introduction to South African wine with these rising stars of the hospitality and tourism industry. We hope the course sparks a lifelong curiosity to learn more about our world-class Cape wines as well as inspiring many professional career opportunities that wine offers in South Africa and all over the world. We encourage the bright and talented 2022 candidates to keep swirling, sniffing and tasting their way up the wine education ladder as part of their professional and personal career path. These future leaders are highly valued ambassadors of South African wine.”
RIO LARGO YOUNG ACHIEVER
Je’maine Cloete CAPSICUM CULINARY STUDIO
MAINS
Certified KarooLamb Compilation
Puff pastry baked lamb shank | BBQ lamb rib | Merguez wrapped braised lamb neck | Roasted baby carrots | Chickpeas | Celeriac purée
Senqu Pistachios & Lurpak Butter
Beyerskloof Synergy Cape Blend 2019
Ernie Els Signature 2016
La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
SCANPAN EXCELLENT KITCHEN PRACTICE DUO OF CHEFS
Köhn du Toit & Assistant Chef Tadiwa Mwendamberi
THE HURST CAMPUS
NOTE OF THANKS Annette Kesler Showcook
GUEST SPEAKER Jeremy Clayton Chairman FEDHASA
S.PELLEGRINO & ACQUA PANNA BEST TEAM PRESENTATION Marthinus Terblanche, Chloë Joubert, Jessica Scholtz, Gustav Duvenhage and Faith Neethling
CHEFS TRAINING AND INNOVATION ACADEMY (CTIA)
Bakers:
- KITCHENAID YOUNG STAR BIO-WHEAT BAKER OF THE YEAR: Tinotenda Sadziwa CAPSICUM CULINARY STUDIO
- 2nd: Jessica Scholtz CHEFS TRAINING AND INNOVATION ACADEMY (CTIA)
- 3rd: Chuma Cetywayo CAPE TOWN HOTEL SCHOOL Faculty of Business and Management Sciences Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Baristas:
- YOUNG STAR BARISTA OF THE YEAR: Cara Kleynhans THE HURST CAMPUS
- 2nd: Craig Munemo SUPERYACHT CULINARY ACADEMY
- 3rd: Codey Oliver CAPE TOWN HOTEL SCHOOL Faculty of Business and Management Sciences Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
DESSERT
Kirstin Hellemann Pastry Chef
Lancewood yoghurt sorbet | ClemenGold® parfait | Pine needle granita| Rio Largo Olive oil jelly | Meringue and Fennel pollen crunch.
Kleine Zalze Project Z Sweet Fortified NV
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar 2020
KWV 12 YO Brandy & Avanti Coffee with Von Geusau Chocolates
@Showcookcom | #MountNelson | #ReachingForYoungStars2022 | #Showcook
Special thanks to INHOUSE
Venue Technical Management
