PRIZES ANNOUNCED – Champions of the Challenge: Honouring Our Winners

The Inter-Hotel Challenge Chef of the Year Kholiswa Makelen (The Silo) will embark on a three-week experience in bustling Dubai at one of the tallest hotels in the world, the JW Marriott Marquis. With awe-inspiring views, this Marriott Hotels property offers a sanctuary and a diverse experience in a dynamic setting. The hotel’s 12 restaurants provide a culinary journey, featuring flavours from around the world and embracing a truly global dining experience. This extraordinary prize is made possible by Marriott International and Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions, with the latter sponsoring Kholiswa’s flights, ensuring her unforgettable journey begins in style.

A world of culinary adventure awaits in Dubai—congratulations to our Chef of the Year Kholiswa Makelen (The Silo)

The Inter-Hotel Challenge Wine Steward of the Year Luyanda Bushula (The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa) & Kleine Zalze will look forward to a two-week experience in Scotland at Seaton House St Andrews with Valor Hospitality, a group with a strong global presence operating across a diverse range of regions. Valor Hospitality, deeply committed to the passion and success of the hospitality industry, engages enthusiastic hoteliers with their unique approach. Our winner will discover a world of Valor. https://www.valorhospitality.com/about-us

Luyanda will take up further studies with the Sommeliers Academy and South African Sommeliers Association (SASA).

The Lancewood Ultimate Pastry Chef of the Year Nonzuzo Mhlungu (Southern Sun The Edward) is invited to experience three-weeks in France, the home of fine patisserie at the exquisite La Creuzette in Boussac. 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 generous R10 000 cash prize.

The KitchenAid Africa Best Team The Silo receives the coveted KitchenAid Africa Floating Trophy presented by Dr Susanne Reuther.

The Diamond Works have created stunning exquisite diamond-studded, hand-crafted gold lapel pins for the winning Wine Stewards Luyanda Bushula (The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa) & Kleine Zalze, Tshepang Mohafa (InterContinental Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport) & Van Loveren Family Vineyards, Danie Kortjas (Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani) & Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Axolile Pupuma (The President Hotel) & Van Loveren Family Vineyards, Yamikani Phiri (The Silo) & Fryer’s Cove and Sanele Mhlongo (Southern Sun The Edward) & Ernie Els Wines, and top three Concierges Andria Maree (Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town), Shenaaz Butler (The Waterfront Concierge) and Taariq Koopman (Queen Victoria Hotel) will be wearing these with pride.

In addition, the winning Inter-Hotel Challenge Diamond Works Concierge of the Year Andria Maree (Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town) will receive a R10 000 cash prize. Adding to this, African Eagle Daytours has curated a collection of superb tours and experiences, valued at R11 500 for Andria and her partner to enjoy.

Special thanks to The IIE School of Hospitality & Service Management who awarded Wine Steward Luyanda Bushula (The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa) a R35 000 bursary to obtain a Higher Certificate in Hospitality Management this year.

“The significance of higher education in the hospitality sector can never be overstated, as both aspiring hospitalians and those already in the industry are expected to evolve with the industry,” says Nande Sulelo, Teaching & Learning Manager. “It is for this reason that The Independent Institute of Education IIEH School of Hospitality and Management is in the forefront of bringing relevant and industry-focused hospitality qualifications. As a leader in the field, we at IIEHSM are also cognisant of the desire to pursue higher education whilst still working, and our distance offering makes this a possibility. The winner of the top academic participant in the Wine Steward category will join a cohort of hospitalians looking to unlock their potential and invest in their futures through our distance education, and we could not be more excited to welcome them.”

Wine Steward Tshepang Mohafa (InterContinental Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport) looks forward to taking up his R30,000 bursary from the National Youth Development Agency and Danie Kortjas (Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani) to study online with the International Hotel School. Thank you to the International Hotel School for their R30,000 bursary.

Axolile Pupuma (The President Hotel), winner of the Best ClemenGold Gin Cocktail will create his own handcrafted signature gin brand at Hope Distillery. He will receive two cases of this special gin—one for personal use and another for their hotel.

This year the CTIA – Chefs Training & Innovation Academy announced that they will be sponsoring a bursary for the winning Hot Chef Kholiswa Makelen (The Silo) to join an ARPL Chef Programme – The QCTO NQF Level 5 Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning Programme.

Superb prizes for all winners from Dr Susanne Reuther of KitchenAid Africa including KitchenAid Artisan Mixers, Gadget & Utensils, Ceramics, Bakeware and more!

The Rio Largo Most Promising Chef Samuel Sherman (Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town) was awarded a cash prize by Brenda and Nick Wilkinson of multi-award winning Rio Largo Olive Estate, one of South Africa’s finest.

The KitchenAid Africa Bio-Wheat Baker of the Year Chelsea Smith (Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town) receives a KitchenAid Food Processor while Mount Nelson collects a KitchenAid Commercial Mixer.

The Inter-Hotel Challenge Barista of the Year Farai Dube (Century City Conference Centre Hotel, and runner-up Simphiwe Mtshali (54 on Bath) and third place Ivan Lange (Southern Sun The Cullinan) will be rewarded with a generous cash prize by Avanti Coffee Company and enviable coffee accessories from KitchenAid Africa and AL&CD Ashley.

The GM of the Year Wayne Siepman (Southern Sun Cape Sun) receives an exquisite hand-crafted cufflinks by The Diamond Works.

The Mentor of the Year Veronica Canha Hibbert (The Silo) has won a splendid weekend away at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel part of the flourishing and expanding NEWMARK GROUP in Cape Town – A rewarding prize for a valuable key player for the success of the team.

Highly desirable and stunning prizes from AL&CD Ashley including SCANPAN the finest of Global Knives, Brabantia, Avanti, Severin and Joseph Joseph.

Highfield and Didactix have offered the Hot Kitchen Chef Rethabile Maseola (54 on Bath) and Cold Kitchen Pastry Chef Tsholofelo Malebane (Sun City Convention Centre) winners of the SCANPAN Excellent Kitchen Practice Award a one-day training programme and examination to achieve the international certificate in the Highfield Qualification Level 3 Award in Food Safety & Catering.

This qualification is designed to assist those who wish to progress to higher or supervisory levels within a food catering business. The qualification is ideal for ensuring compliance with the law.

Topics covered include:

Ensuring compliance with food safety legislation
The application and monitoring of good hygiene practice
How to implement food safety management procedures
The application and monitoring of good practice regarding contamination, microbiology and temperature control

Founded in 1982, Highfield is a leading UK and international awarding organisation in vocational, compliance and accredited qualifications, regulated by Ofqual. As a government-regulated End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), Highfield is a proud recipient of the 2024 King’s Award for Enterprise and End Point Assessment Organisation of the Year.

With over 600 qualifications and a network of 46,500+ approved trainers across 54+ countries, Highfield annually awards more than 550,000 certificates in diverse sectors, empowering learners worldwide. As one of the UK’s top awarding bodies, they work with leading organisations, including Nestlé, Shell, BP, Jumeirah Hotels, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and many more.

Lorna Gourlay of Platinum Marketing presents special gifts to the top three Concierges from Healing Earth—a premium African spa brand known for its natural, organic products inspired by Africa’s rich resources. With over 20 years of expertise, Healing Earth partners with luxury hotels and operates flagship spas worldwide, offering innovative concepts and sustainable solutions. Committed to giving back, the Healing Earth Foundation uplifts communities through outreach projects, fostering conscious, healthy connections for a brighter future.

The Oyster Box has proudly received the WWF-SA Awareness Award Floating Trophy, which celebrates top chefs and pastry chefs championing environmental sustainability. This prestigious accolade recognizes efforts to eliminate single-use plastics and minimise waste, while prioritising the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) green list seafood value chain. By committing to responsible sourcing and sustainable practices, The Oyster Box exemplifies leadership in promoting positive change in the culinary and hospitality industries.❎

The Showcook Man of the Match Executive Chef PJ Peter Lakay (Southern Sun Cape Sun), is proudly rewarded by Debbie Hall of The Hall Collection. Representing the finest European bed, mattress, and linen suppliers, The Hall Collection delivers exceptional quality to enhance sleep experiences in private residences and the luxury hotel industry across Africa.

A heartfelt appreciation to Janet Pillai, CEO of MLT Car Hire & Tours, for her invaluable support in facilitating transportation to workshops in the winelands and surrounds for all our candidates in Cape Town.

Further prizes from Gourmand Awarded Jean Vincent Ridon’s book A Passion for Pairing and Sommelier Germain Lehodey Wine: The Second Sauce of a Dish, Floriography Preserved Botanicals by Petals Group, Books from Penguin Random House, Digital access to the Platter’s by Diners Club App and its web-based counterpart, with wine reviews and essential winery information from 2008 to the present, Von Geusau Chocolates and wine.co.za