Suspense is mounting ahead of the announcement of the national finals of the 2023 Inter Hotel Challenge, sponsored by HEINEKEN Beverages on Tuesday 28th November. Just three of the 115 contestants who have competed in the event from the outset will be flying abroad to take up part of their prizes. The Wine Steward of the Year will spend a fortnight in Amsterdam, the Pastry Chef of the Year will be interning in France, while the Chef of the Year will spend three working weeks overseas at a top hospitality venue, still to be disclosed.
Teams from 26 top hotels across South Africa competed across a variety of hotel and restaurant services categories, from wine stewards and mixologists to chefs and pastry chefs, bakers, baristas, concierges and more. The cook-off and service presentations took place in late October, in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Chania Morritt-Smith of Showcook.com, who, with food doyenne Annette Kesler, conceived the concept 11 years ago, describes the annual challenge as “a multifaceted competition that recognises, cultivates and rewards excellence. Before contestants can even compete, they are extended the necessary mentorship, support and practical tools through a series of workshops that help them to perform at their very best levels. The result is that whatever the outcome for individual participants, everyone is a winner.”
Millicent Maroga, corporate affairs director for HEINEKEN Beverages highlights how important the challenge is in “promoting economic opportunity and inclusion. It grows expertise, career development and creates a talent pool for the tourism and hospitality industries.”
In recognition of the challenge’s skill transfer drive, the National Youth Development Agency has become a partner and together with the International Hotel School is providing bursaries to candidates who achieve outstanding results.
The winning wine steward will earn an all-expenses-paid two-week experience in Amsterdam, sponsored by HEINEKEN Beverages as well as wine courses with the Sommeliers Academy and the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA). The Cape Wine Academy is offering the top academic achievers the Cap Classique Academy Five Star course, plus stunning handcrafted lapel pins by The Diamond Works – see Prizes in Store.
The top chef will intern for three weeks with a top international hotel (destination to be revealed at the gala event), and the top pastry chef a three-week working stint at Château de la Creuzette in Boussac, France (courtesy of Lancewood).
Since the inception of the award, some 1 500 candidates have been exposed to the specialty training provided by the challenge.
This year’s judging panel:
Wine and spirit service: Sandy Harper (CWM) and Jean Vincent Ridon (sommelier)
Wine and food pairing: Aubrey Ngcungama, Deon Roets, Wanda Cronje (CWM), Germain Lehodey, Kristina Beuthner (CWM), Karen Bloom (CWM) and Mark O’Flaherty
Food: Hugh von Zahn, Jocelyn Meyers-Adams, Fatima Stanley and Elsu Gericke
Kitchen skills: Julietta e Silva Overmeyer, Marlon de Freitas, Candice Adams, Ukhonaye Mconi, Nandile Bongekile Mtshaha and Sharon Visagie
Barista: Oz Davids, Johandré Delport, Caroline Ncube, Ree Moya, Malusi Ngwane, Wayne Abrahams, Paddington Chivare and Shaakira Mohamed
Concierge: Horst Frehse, Jeff Rosenberg, Lorna Gourlay, Mike Waller, Tarryn Tomlinson and John de Canha
Category winners receiving trophies, cash prizes and, in the case of the wine, mixology and cheffing category winners, the chance to be mentored abroad by well-known talents, as well as bursaries to build locally on their existing expertise.
THE NOMINEES ARE…
Ashley Klassen Queen Victoria Hotel
Cornelius Suthse Sun City Convention Centre
Flora Lebogang Takai Sun City Convention Centre
Huwitt Strydom Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge
Itumeleng John Mogale Sun City Hotel
Keelyn Scheepers Southern Sun Cape Sun
Lindiwe Masango Toadbury Hall Country Hotel
Lingelihle Tshemese Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa
Londeka Mkhize Beverly Hills
Lucian Hendricks Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
Mkuseli Innocent Vanqa Taj Cape Town
Mpoe Charles Maboshigo Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel
Nadia Sibanda Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel
Nandipha Msindela Southern Sun The Cullinan
Njabulo Prince Zondo InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo
Nkanyiso Zikhali The Oyster Box
Nokubonga Dladla Beverly Hills
Phathiswa Plaatjie The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Pleasure Shaku InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo
Pumla Hanise Arabella Hotel & Spa
Richard Mannafela Sun City Hotel
Robyn Ann Dyer The Oyster Collection
Ruaan van Helden Southern Sun Cape Sun
Samkelisiwe Nyandu Oyster Box Hotel
Senzo Khumalo The Oyster Box
Sfundo Mhlongo Beverly Hills
Shantel Ndlovu The Silo Hotel
Sibusiso Khumalo Durban ICC
Sinalo Yanga Ngubo 54 on Bath
Siyabonga Kunene The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Siyanda Craig Mthethwa Southern Sun The Edward
Siyanda Kuzani The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Thando Mahlekelele Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani
Theo Litha Kali The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Thokozile Gazi Lagoon Beach Hotel
Tracy Colbeck Durban ICC
Vusumzi Sithole 54 on Bath
Vuyo Kenneth Zuma Sun City Convention Centre
Wandile Mpakumpaku The President Hotel
Wandile Shange Southern Sun The Cullinan
Wiseman Manshele Durban ICC
#HeinekenSA | #InterHotelChallenge2023 | #Showcook
Click here to view a full video of the recent cook-offs and service presentations.
Short video clips:
Short summary video: click here
Mentorship summary video: click here
Candidate wine stewards summary video: click here
Wine & food pairing summary video: click here
