PRIZES IN STORE

These are exceptional opportunities for anyone wanting to accelerate their hospitality careers.

The ‘Distell Inter-Hotel Challenge Wine Steward of the Year 2022’ Pieter Bekker (Taj Cape Town) (Pongrácz & Three Ship) will look forward to a 10-day internship in Ireland at the celebrated The Lodge at Ashford Castle with the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Irish country-house charm within the magnificent 350-acre estate of Ashford Castle, overlooking magical Lough Corrib. On the itinerary St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London and 67 Pall Mall, a private members club for wine lovers. 67 Pall Mall is currently in London, Verbier, Singapore and Beaune with more Club openings on the horizon. Flights sponsored by Distell.

Meaningful bursaries from Distell with the Sommeliers Academy and South African Sommeliers Association (SASA). Cape Wine Academy courses for the winning Wine Stewards plus stunning handcrafted lapel pins by The Diamond Works.

The ‘Distell Inter-Hotel Challenge Chef of the Year 2022’ Senzo Mlambo (54 on Bath, Southern Sun Gauteng Team) is set to enjoy a three-week internship with Valor Hospitality at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel – a unique destination on the Alabama Gulf Coast where nature is at your doorstep. Flights sponsored by Distell.

Over the years winners have been invited to Long Beach Mauritius (2013), Taj Mahal Palace India (2014), the Shangri-La in Dubai (2015), The Alcron in Prague (2016), The Marriott Ritz-Carlton Hotel and JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai (2017), NH Collection Barbizon Palace hotel, D’Vijff Vlieghen and Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky (2018), Minor Hotels in Bangkok; at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel, Anantara Sathorn Bangkok Hotel and Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotels (2019) and again at the stunning Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai with Taj Hotels (2020)

Ashleigh Christie of Minor Hotels will announce the destination for the 2021 Chef of the Year, Asanda Khanyile, representing the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani to travel in 2023. Flights sponsored by Distell. (https://youtu.be/msVjMpUNQCY).

The ‘Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year 2022’ Eon Le Roux (Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani) is invited to experience a three-week internship in France, the home of fine patisserie at the exquisite Château La Creuzette in Boussac with hosts Louis Jansen van Vuuren and Hardy Olivier. A ravishing prize where the winner will continue to broaden their culinary skills and at the same time absorb incomparable French flair.
Flights are courtesy of Lancewood plus a R10 000 cash prize to cover their VISA, Medical Travel Insurance, at the time of Travel.

The ‘KitchenAid Africa Bio-Wheat Baker of the Year 2022’ Gina Marziani (Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa) receives a KitchenAid Food Processor while the hotel collects a KitchenAid commercial mixer.

The International Hotel School’s R30 000 online bursary, designed to give candidates the tools to further their business aspirations, is awarded to Sibongile Majola (Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani).

‘The Wonga Award’, presented to the most up-and-coming wine steward, Anthony Andrew ‘Jeremiah’ Govender (Beverly Hills) also receives a R30 000 bursary from the South African National Youth Development Agency, to pursue an online business course with the International Hotel School.

The top three concierges; Elmar Schreiner (The President Hotel), Nokukhanya Sibisi (Formerly The Rockefeller Hotel, now at the Waldorf Astoria, Maldives) and Jade Arries (Taj Cape Town), and award winning wine stewards each receive an exquisite diamond-studded, hand-crafted gold lapel pin by The Diamond Works.

The top three baristas in each region are rewarded with prizes by Avanti Coffee, KitchenAid Africa and AL&CD Ashley.

The best team, Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa receives the KitchenAid Africa Floating Trophy. The GM of the Year Jacques Moolman (Southern Sun The Cullinan) receives exquisite hand-crafted engraved gold cufflinks by The Diamond Works.

The Mentor of the Year, Rudi Liebenberg is set to enjoy a splendid weekend at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve – an exceptional estate and everyone’s dream retreat. A rewarding prize for a valuable key player for the success of the team. See more…

Prizes from Dr Susanne Reuther of KitchenAid Africa including KitchenAid Artisan Mixers, Gadget & Utensils, Ceramics, Bakeware and from AL&CD Ashley; SCANPAN, the finest of Global Knives, Brabantia, Avanti, Severin and Joseph Joseph.

Didactix has offered the ‘Scanpan Excellent Kitchen Practice’ chefs; Fuad Martin (Southern Sun The Cullinan) and Qira Matthews (Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel) a one-day training programme and online examination to achieve the international certificate in the Highfield Qualification Level 2 Award in Food Safety & Catering.

More prizes from S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, Italian Deli Online, LemonGold®, The Hall Collection and Rio Largo Olive Oil. Books for life from Penguin Random House plus the Gourmand awarded book Passion for Pairing by Jean Vincent Ridon.
The last word in delectable prizes… Von Geusau Chocolates.