Wine on the menu

After a break of two years, Diners Club International has re-introduced these awards after re-formulating both the award categories and requirements, ensuring that they are in line with market and industry trends.

Michael Olivier, awards convener, says: "What we are looking for are restaurateurs who go the extra mile in compiling their wine lists, creating lists which are in harmony with the food style of their enterprises, offer a variety of cultivars, breadth in terms of wine of origin areas, wines not only from the respected large companies but from boutique and small production wineries as well and who tell their diners what to expect in a wine, so descriptions and vintages are important."

The panel of judges includes Clive Torr, Cape Wine Master, Lannice Snyman a well known Restaurant Judge, Food Writer and Publisher, Arnold Vorster - Sommelier, Angela Lloyd, Wine Judge and Wine Writer, John Maytham, Restaurant Judge and Broadcaster, Roy de Gouveia, a Board member of Fedhasa, Catherine Bouttell-Coackley, Senior Wine Judge and Wine Trainer and Liam Tomlin, an internationally trained Irish Chef who was Chef of the Year 2002 in Australia. Derek Stewart, retired Director of Ernst & Young, will be the Honorary Auditor.

Judging will take place in August and the winners will be announced at awards ceremonies to be held in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in September.

Entry forms are available online at www.dinersclub.co.za. Closing date for entries is July 29 2005.