Culinary Talent & Service Finesse Take Centre Stage
Friday, 17 October, dawned fresh and crisp, what a day it was! Day one of four, and the Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2025 teams arrived at Capsicum Culinary Studio at 07h00 for what promised to be a long and action-packed day. The kitchen buzzed with activity, and judging took place across the brand new large campus in Salt River that, on that particular day, became home to hotels from all over Cape Town. Dressed in spotless whites, our candidates truly bloomed as they gave their all, focused with absolute concentration on their end goals.
Teams enjoyed the full support of their management, who were there in force. Throughout the day, there was an air of expectancy, and it was a pleasure to witness the smooth running of activity behind the scenes bustling with energy, yet perfectly organised.
Day Two of the Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2025 began with a flurry of activity at the excellent new campus of Capsicum Culinary Studio in Salt River. Many representatives from the competing hotels were present—a special show of support for their candidates that is often underestimated. Their presence and encouragement are truly appreciated.
Johannesburg, the city of Jacarandas, saw a brilliant start at Capsicum Culinary Studio, at their Rosebank campus which is a delight with charming and polished students who took great pride in their full assistance on the day.
This year exceeded all expectations. The number of hotels taking part, together with their dedicated candidates, all part of highly motivated teams who gave of their best, resulted in a well-prepared, excellently executed, and smoothly run event that set the tone for the day.
Many years ago when the Inter-Hotel Challenged launched in 2013 and made its first steps out of the Cape, Durban began to punch above it weight and so it has continued year after year. A region in South Africa that is and has always been so supportive and so successful, always on the up and up and knowing full well that our hotel industry had its roots in Natal at The Beverly Hills which became the blue print in South Africa for warm hospitality and the rest is, as we know, history.
Eight hotels participated at the new campus of CTIA – Chefs Training and Innovation Academy, part of the largest independently owned group. Recently, owner and principal Louise Oldham was honoured with the title of Best Culinary School in Africa 2025, announced at the World Culinary Awards in Italy. With such a remarkable accolade, our expectations are high for the Durban campus, and we wish them every success and a strong future ahead.
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