These Orientation Workshops mark the beginning of a lengthy and in-depth programme of the Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2025, establishing the foundation from which the candidates will draw inspiration. They are guided by a full programme of excellent speakers, who share the wealth of knowledge and understanding gained through many years in the hospitality industry.
Opening the Workshop, General Manager Madeleine Roux (54 on Bath & Southern Sun Rosebank) warmly welcomed the candidates, setting the tone for the day with her encouragement and insights. Madeleine reminded them of the opportunities that lie ahead and the value of fully embracing the journey.
Among them, John de Canha, legendary General Manager of many of Southern Sun’s leading properties, whose distinguished career spanned decades. John has the rare ability to instil understanding, practical knowledge, and genuine enthusiasm into his lectures — making him an outstanding role model for the next generation.
The Orientation Workshop featured a vibrant line-up of hospitality leaders and experts introduce by MC Wendy Coetzee and Chania Morritt-Smith (Showcook). Oz Davids of Avanti Coffee conducted the Introductory Workshop to Baristas, NH Sandton Executive Chef Donaldson Madubela shared insights on Bringing Home Silver, Claire du Plooy (Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions) explored The Rice That Brings Us Together, Dragonfly Africa CEO Mike Waller (Concierge Judge) spoke on Shaping Exceptional Hospitality, Neilwe Mashigo (Penguin Random House) presented books hot off the shelf, and Chantel Senekal (Lancewood) led a Q&A and announced the prize for the Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef.
Later sessions included Southern Sun Executive Chef James Khoza on Conscious Dining, while Global Ingredients from Clear World Suppliers; Polli & Ciao set the bar for a taste of tradition, Minor Hotels’s Ashleigh Christie shared insights on What HR Wishes You Knew, Concierge Deon Prinsloo on The Society of the Golden Keys, choice ingredients from Früt SA were tried and tasted, and Brenda Wilkinson from the Rio Largo Olive Estate spoke on The Gold Standard in Olive Oil. Afternoon highlights featured inside scoops on Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, Senior Lecturer Andile Sthandiwe Magwaza of Capsicum Culinary Studios on Kitchen Hygiene, Bio-Wheat’s A Natural Harvest, LemonGold®’s 1st Class at its Best!, and Judge Mike Buthelezi (Cape Wine Academy) on Food & Wine Pairing: Cause & Effect.
Over the years, Southern Sun Newlands has proved itself a stalwart partner in many different and valuable ways. For the Inter-Hotel Challenge, it truly shone, offering our 65 candidates an experience to remember. They were thoroughly spoiled by the excellent catering and the attentive service of the well-trained, deft staff.
As always, our speakers excelled, providing insightful background on their offerings, enabling our candidates to assess and choose with confidence.
General Manager Tanya George of Southern Sun Newlands gave a very warm welcome to our teams. Tanya believes implicitly in what the Challenge stands for and the benefits that staff gain in participating; building confidence and skills.
In December, Southern Sun Cape Sun Executive Chef PJ Lakay will be hosting the Awards with much aplomb. Chef PJ believes in leadership from the top and producing strongly motivated team members are the key.
Annique Ferreira (Food & Beverage Controller, Southern Sun Newlands), Executive Chef PJ Lakay (Southern Sun Cape Sun) and GM Tanya George (Southern Sun Newlands)
Speakers included Aubrey Ngcungama (Food & Wine Pairing Judge) on Charm is a Skill, The President Hotel Ops Director Ndaba Dube on Leading Before You Have the Title, Concierge Judge Aimee Lentz on The Diamond Standard of Hospitality, and Wayne Abrahams with an Introduction to Baristas. Other highlights included Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions Cindy Fourie on Tastic Rices of the World, Muchi Gubwe (Head Concierge at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town) on The Art of Anticipation, while 2024’s IHC – Chef of the Year Kholiswa Makeleni’s shared 1000 Tastes of JW Marquis Marriott Dubai. The fun Q&A with Anique Ramawoothar and prize for the Lancewood’s Ultimate Pastry Chef was also announced.
Sessions also featured Maryna Calow (WoSA) on SA’s Place in the International Wine Market, Riza Botha on LemonGold®, Tirsa & Christoff Fourie on Bio-Wheat, 2024 Runner-Up Chef of the Year Eugenie Langeveldt (Zevenwacht Estate) on On a Plate at JW Marquis Marriott Dubai, FRÜT SA on Frozen Fruit, and Brenda Wilkinson (Rio Largo Olive Oil) on Olive Oil Excellence. Afternoon highlights included a talk from Sommeliers Academy Jean-Vincent Ridon on the Chef & Sommelier Connection, Tish Grant-Smith of Clear World Suppliers on S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna, Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling drinks and choice ingredients from Polli & Ciao, Judge Julietta e Silva on Plastics and Protocols, and Wanda Cronje (CWM) on Food & Wine Pairing with the Cape Wine Academy.
What an event – what a day! A huge thank you to Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani for providing the perfect setting and host this year’s Orientation Workshop for the Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2025
From start to finish, it was a day filled with inspiration, learning, and connection. Our speakers shared insights that left us motivated and uplifted, and the warm and generous hospitality made it all the more memorable. Here’s a look back at the highlights that made this gathering so extraordinary.
Orientation Workshop: Skills Exchange & Training – Monday 18th August 2025, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani
The day was filled with inspiration, learning, and hands-on experiences. MC Wendy Coetzee and Chania Morritt-Smith (Showcook) opened, followed by a warm welcome from Lettisha Singh, GM Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani. Speakers and judges shared their expertise across hospitality disciplines: Hugh von Zahn (Chief Judge) on The Positive Influence of AI for the Hospitality Industry, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Executive Chef Shaun Munro on The Making of an Executive Chef, Paula Visser on Avanti SA: Introduction & Overview to Baristas, Tracy James & Razia Lockhat on Tastic Rices of the World, Fatima Stanley (Judge) on Current Trends, Clean Lines, Creative Expression, and Lorna Gourlay (Judge) on The Essence of Hospitality. Award-winning Southern Sun The Edward Nonzuzo Mhlungu Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year 2024 shared her experiences at La Creuzette and Carol Moodley led the popular LANCEWOOD Q&A!
Later sessions featured judges Karen Bloom (CWM) and Sandy Harper (CWM) on international standards and chef-sommelier connections, Tish Grant-Smith of Clear World Suppliers introduced the global ingredients Polli & Ciao, Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. Key partners in the Challenge; Bio-Wheat, FRÜT SA, LemonGold® Seedless Lemons, and Rio Largo Olive Oil with Brenda Wilkinson sharing insights on sustainability, ingredients, and excellence in food and beverage. Afternoon highlights included Deputy Principal Valarie Pillay (CTIA – Chefs Training & Innovation Academy) guiding culinary growth, Sandy Harper on Food & Wine Pairing with the Cape Wine Academy, and Penguin Random House Hot off the Shelves books were prize possessions at the end of the day!
