“Winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit.” – Edwin Louis Cole The winners of the Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2026 Supported by Union Tiles will be announced at the Gala Dinner on 1st December at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town. Chef Awards Chef of the Year and Ultimate […]
2026 HOTEL PARTNERS
We look forward to announcing the teams and meeting their candidates at the various regional launches coming up in July and August for this year’s Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2026 Supported by Union Tiles Gauteng & North West Province54 on BathFour Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, JohannesburgNH Johannesburg SandtonSandton Sun & TowersSouthern Sun Katherine Street Sandton […]
INTER-HOTEL CHALLENGE SOUTH AFRICA 2026 LAUNCHES ITS 14TH YEAR OF DEVELOPING HOSPITALITY TALENT
Union Tiles joins as headline partner as the programme continues to build careers, transform lives and strengthen South Africa’s hospitality future 1 July 2026: The Inter-Hotel Challenge South Africa 2026, one of the country’s most respected hospitality skills development programmes, is proud to announce Union Tiles as a headline industry partner for the forthcoming competition, […]
2026 PRIZES Where Talent Meets Opportunity
Wonderful prizes for ALL the winners from Dr Susanne Reuther of Wings Group and KitchenAid Africa including KitchenAid Artisan Mixers, Gadget & Utensils, Ceramics, Bakeware and more… Hot Chef Jessie Olivier (CTIA) and ‘Ultimate Lancewood Young Star Pastry Chef of the Year’ Jenna van Niekerk (IHS) will earn an extraordinary three-month working experience in France, […]
WINNERS ANNOUNCED – Where Talent Meets Opportunity
Cape Town, 11th June 2026 – The culinary spotlight shone brightly on the Cape’s most promising young talent at the iconic TAJ Cape Town. Now in its 18th year, the Reaching for Young Stars 2026 competition has officially crowned its winners. Congratulations to all! Reaching for Young Stars is more than a competition; it advances […]
TAJ CAPE TOWN HOSTS WINEMAKERS’ LUNCH FOR REACHING FOR YOUNG STARS PROGRAMME
South Africa’s finest winemakers gather at Bombay Brasserie to celebrate wine, food, and the next generation of hospitality talent Cape Town, 7th May — TAJ Cape Town recently played host to the eagerly anticipated annual Winemakers’ Lunch, a highlight on the Reaching for Young Stars calendar, now proudly in its 18th year. Held in the magnificent […]
Unforgettable Visits to the Cape Winelands
As part of the Reaching for Young Stars programme, we take learning beyond the classroom and into the heart of the Cape Winelands, where our young chefs and hospitality students experience first-hand the superb wineries that define the region. Through immersive visits, they meet leading wine producers and gain insight into world-class standards, as well […]
Craft, Crema and BARISTAS: The Art of Extraction
Our Young Stars are learning the skills and techniques, perfecting espresso shots to milk frothing, they are gaining hands-on experience that sharpens their palate and builds their confidence. Each new skill they acquire is a boost toward a promising career in hospitality. They’ll soon put their talents to the test as Avanti Coffee Judges Paddington […]
Balance in the Glass: Cocktails & Pairing Meet the Young Star BEVERAGE STUDENTS
The role of the Beverage Students of the ‘Taj Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars’ is not simply to serve, but to enhance every dish through thoughtful pairing and a deep understanding of flavour. They are tasked with creating a signature cocktail using KWV 3 YO Brandy, lifted with the elegance of Perrier and complemented by a […]
GRAIN & CRAFT WITH THE YOUNG STAR BAKERS
The Bakers of the ‘Taj Cape Town Reaching for Young Stars’ programme now bring their quiet discipline and craftsmanship to the fore. Bread, in its purest form, is a reflection of patience, precision, and respect for ingredients, a true test of a chef’s understanding of fundamentals. As part of their journey, they had the privilege […]