A high-energy 2026 programme for this year’s TAJ Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars, bringing together inspiring speakers and real-world topics that matter to today’s youth. From communication and wellbeing to modern nutrition, kitchen hygiene and sustainability, the focus is on building skills for life and work. With key themes such as diabetes awareness and cutting out single-use plastics, the programme encourages healthier choices, smarter kitchens and a cleaner, greener future.
SKILLS EXCHANGE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP SATURDAY 14th March
Hosted by Chefs Training & Innovation Academy, Stellenbosch Campus
MC Wendy Coetzee looks forward to introducing the superb panel of speakers to this year’s brightest young talent from the Cape Town Hotel School, part of the Faculty of Business Management Sciences of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Capsicum Culinary Studio, Cooktastic, CTIA – Chefs Training & Innovation Academy, International Hotel School, Emeris, The Silo Internship Initiative and the Superyacht Culinary Academy.
Emilie Férè InternAfrika ~ France Five Star Internship
Cindy Fourie & Vivian van Niekerk Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions & Tastic Rices of the World ~ The easy way to perfect rice, every time!
Vivian van Nes FRÜT ~ Sip, taste a burst of sheer delight!
Riza Botha ClemenGold® ~ Naturally radiant flavour, wrapped in sunshine.
Tanya Nefdt ~ BRAND YOU!
Nicci Robertson Penguin Random House Author: Mind Body & Soul Food ~ Sharing valuable insight on Diabetes, Healthier Choices / Smarter Kitchens with Modern Nutrition
Anique Ramawoothar Lancewood ~ Fueling the Future of Pastry Chefs & Announcing the new destination for the Ultimate LANCEWOOD Pastry Chef of the Year!
Barista Worskhop with Avanti SA ~ Teaching students how to make great coffee = Barista Skills, grinder work and manual extraction
Vlad Klaic Opening Doors to a Future in the Liquid Kitchen – A Career in Alchemology
Rooted in sustainable farming, Heinie & Tirsa Fourie Bio-Wheat™ craft single-origin, stone-ground flour, capturing the natural goodness of every harvest.
Darryn Lazarus & Tish Grant-Smith Clearworld Suppliers’ Global Brands giving our young stars a unique opportunity to work with and learn from world-class, premium products, offering an experience that goes beyond the local market.
Qishaan Govender ZA Foods Entrepreneurship & Opportunity & Introducing Choice Indian Spices
Brenda Wilkinson of Rio Largo Olive Estateone of South Africa’s most awarded extra virgin olive oil producers on the role of olive oil in metabolic health. The session will explore how high-quality extra virgin olive oil supports blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and overall wellbeing, with practical guidance on choosing, using, and understanding olive oil in a modern diet.
Melissa Foley ~ Taking Precaution in the Work Place
Sommelier Shane Mumba ~ Elevating the SA Brandy Foundation
Julietta e Silva Overmeyer ~ Clean to Compete: Mastering Kitchen Hygiene & Winning Judges’ Approval
Wanda Cronjé (CWM) Sobremesa~ Flavour in Action: Food’s Impact on Wine – An interactive tasting experience with Kleine Zalze Wines!
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