Elevating Talent in the Hospitality Industry

As we launch the prestigious 2026 edition of Reaching for Young Stars, hosted by Taj Cape Town, the spotlight shines brightly on the Western Cape fast becoming a magnet for both national and international tourism. This growth brings with it an increased demand for world-class culinary academies, where students can define and refine their craft, encouraging the next generation of talent within the hospitality industry.

South Africa’s culinary establishments are increasingly sought after by aspiring chefs and hospitality students from around the world. Our culinary academies are attracting students eager to learn from world-class institutions and industry leaders. In turn, these students become ambassadors for South Africa’s dynamic hospitality sector, carrying its reputation, skills, and innovation far beyond our borders.

“Taj Cape Town is proud to host the Reaching for Young Stars programme, opening our doors to the next generation of hospitality leaders,” said Mark Wernich, General Manager of Taj Cape Town. “At Taj, we live by ‘Tajness’ — service from the heart, rooted in care, respect, and authenticity. This programme embodies our commitment to nurturing talent, empowering young people, and inspiring them to pursue excellence, leadership, and meaningful careers within the hospitality industry.”

This initiative provides students with a valuable platform to excel and gain recognition within their chosen field. As these rising stars compete for top honours, their skills will be on full display, with the winners set to be revealed on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at the iconic Taj Cape Town.

Organised by Showcook.com in partnership with renowned culinary expert Annette Kesler, the programme goes beyond celebrating culinary mastery — it is a holistic platform aimed at developing potential.

Participating Academies

Candidates are selected from leading institutions including:
Cape Town Hotel School, part of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Capsicum Culinary Studio
Cooktastic
CTIA – Chefs Training & Innovation Academy
International Hotel School
The Silo Internship Initiative
Superyacht Culinary Academy

Annette Kesler expressed:

“We would like to acknowledge the indispensable support of the leading culinary academies in the Western Cape. We applaud the dedication and enthusiasm of their principals and academic heads who have been instrumental in the success of the awards since inception in 2009.”

Chania Morritt-Smith of Showcook.com explains:

“This year, we are offering amazing programmes for the winners of the TAJ Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars. These will shape their careers, equipping them to step into their chosen roles within the ever-evolving hospitality industry.”

Expertise in baking, beverage, and barista skills continues to gain prominence in the Cape region. This initiative recognises the proficiency of young students in this growing field, contributing to the region’s reputation for producing skilled youth.

Showcook remains committed to bridging the gap between aspiring chefs and industry leaders. This commitment takes shape through interactive initiatives such as The Skills Exchange Development Workshop, taking place at CTIA’s Stellenbosch campus on Saturday, 14 March, followed by additional workshops leading up to the Cook-Off & Service Presentations in May.

JUDGES

Food

Alexandre Barrière Izard
Constantijn Leo Hahndiek
Debbie Hall
Jocelyn Myers Adams
Togara Mabharani

Wine & Spirit Service

Penelope Horwood
Ndaba Dube
Marlvin Gwese
Vlad Klaic

Wine & Food Pairing

Wanda Cronje (CWM)
Winemaker Guy Webber

Kitchen Skills

Hot Kitchen: Julietta e Silva Overmeyer
Cold Kitchen: Cody Dodgen

Barista

Paddington Chivare
Elton Chikara
Charles Ngwarai
Wayne Abrahams

AWARDS

TAJ Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars Chef of the Year (1st, 2nd & 3rd)
Clearworld Best Starter & Main Course
Best Früt Chutney
Ultimate Lancewood Young Star Pastry Chef of the Year (1st, 2nd & 3rd)
ScanPan Excellent Kitchen Practice Duo
TAJ Cape Town Beverage Student of the Year (1st, 2nd & 3rd)
Best Cocktail with SA Brandy, Perrier & Früt
The Rio Largo Young Achiever
Best Food & Wine Pairing (Starter, Main & Dessert)
KitchenAid Bio-Wheat Baker (1st, 2nd & 3rd)
Avanti Coffee SA Baristas (1st, 2nd & 3rd)
WWF Best Team Trophy – Sustainability Awareness

The floating Sustainability Awareness Trophy will be awarded by Pavitray Pillay, Environmental Behaviour Change Practitioner & WWF-SASSI Manager.

2026 PRIZES & GIFTS

“Winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit.”
— Edwin Louis Cole

The TAJ Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars Hot Chef and Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year winners are going global. Both will embark on an extraordinary three-month professional experience in France, thanks to a partnership with InternAfrika and Lancewood.

“This is a meaningful opportunity for young chefs to fully immerse themselves in top international kitchens,” says Alexandre Barrière Izard, Director of InternAfrika. “The programme includes a monthly allowance, flights, visa support, medical travel insurance, accommodation, and full board, ensuring the winners can focus completely on honing their craft.”

The TAJ Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars Beverage Student will receive funded access, sponsored by Clearworld Suppliers, to attend the Sommeliers Academy See – https://sommeliers.academy/how-to-become-a-sommelier/

Philip Abrahamson, CEO of Clearworld Suppliers, distributors of Perrier, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, commented:
“We are thrilled to support the next generation of hospitality talent. Through this sponsorship with the Sommeliers Academy, the TAJ Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars Beverage Student will gain access to world-class sommelier training and complete relevant certifications, helping guide their journey towards becoming an exceptional sommelier, shaping their careers in hospitality.”

Further prizes include KitchenAid Artisan Mixers, utensils, ceramics and bakeware from KitchenAid Africa, as well as premium culinary equipment from AL&CD Ashley including SCANPAN, Global Knives, Brabantia, Avanti, Severin and Joseph Joseph.

The ScanPan Excellent Kitchen Practice Award includes a Highfield Level 3 Food Safety for Catering qualification for both Hot Kitchen and Pastry categories.

Founded in 1982, Highfield Qualifications is a leading UK and international awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, with over 600 qualifications and 46,500+ approved trainers across 54+ countries.

Additional gifts are generously provided by:

From FRÜT, a Yonanas for the winning Chef’s Chutney and the winning Beverage Best Cocktail Mixer. A ClemenGold hamper to the winning Lancewood Pastry Chef.

Generous cash prizes are sponsored by Avanti Coffee, Lancewood, Rio Largo Olive Estate and ZA Foods, alongside books for life from Penguin Random House and chocolates from Von Geusau Chocolates.

About TAJ Cape Town

Taj Hotels part of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), continues to be recognised as one of the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands.

In 2025, Taj was once again named the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand by Brand Finance, earning an exceptional Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.2 out of 100 — a rare AAA+ rating reflecting deep guest trust, brand loyalty, and global reputation for excellence.

About Cape Town

Cape Town’s hospitality and tourism industry sustained exceptional growth through 2025 and into the 2025/26 peak season, reinforcing the city’s position as one of Africa’s leading global tourism hubs.

Cape Town International Airport traffic in 2025 exceeded 11.1 million passengers, driven by strong domestic and international connectivity.

The city’s hotel sector outperformed national averages in 2025, achieving approximately 72.5% occupancy in April 2025. More than 40 new hotel developments — ranging from boutique properties to large resorts — are planned, under construction, or recently opened.

Continued investment in tourism infrastructure strengthens the city’s competitive edge and ensures memorable experiences for visitors from around the globe.