Fifth Distell Inter Hotel Challenge around the corner

3 Aug 2017

The winners of the Distell Inter Hotel Challenge will be announced on Saturday, 5 August 2017 at the Southern Sun Cape Sun, Cape Town. Labelled the 'Oscars of the hotel world', the challenge, which celebrates its fifth anniversary, has become a red-letter annual event on the hotel industry calendar.

The challenge provides a vehicle and public platform, which creates an environment of mentorship for the country’s hospitality industry. For potential winners, the level and quality of judging is an essential part of the process. There is a great deal riding on the coveted top awards. Throughout the long journey, the judges have given generously of their time and wisdom, playing an active role in the mentoring process.

Showcook acknowledges with much gratitude the judges and hotels for their generosity throughout this valued journey.

Top judges

Our panel of top judges throughout SA will be headed by Heinz Brunner (honorary president of the South African Chefs Association, past vice-chairman of the World Body of Chefs and team manager of the Culinary Olympics team), Marieta Human (hospitality consultant), Megan Angus (Woodview Wagyu & Angus Beef), Craig Cormack (celebrity chef), Michelle Grimbeek (director, Cape Wine Academy), Higgo Jacobs (chairman of the South African Sommeliers Association), Sandy Harper (CWM and International Wine Judge) and Germain Lehodey (CWM and Sommelier at Mosaic Restaurant).

Prizes

This year the winning candidate chef will be awarded the opportunity of a three-week visit to Dubai with The Marriott Ritz-Carlton Hotel and their flagship JW Marriott Marquis where they will experience fine dining and large-scale catering.While the winning executive chef will fly courtesy of British Airways to spend a weekend with their partner at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa.

Judges with Candidate Chefs in Cape Town. From left to right: Capsicum Culinary Studio’s Julietta e Silva, Megan Angus (Woodview Wagyu & Angus Beef), Craig Cormack (Celebrity Chef), Marieta Human (Hospitality Consultant), and Chief Judge Heinz Brunner (Honorary President of the South African Chefs Association, past Vice-Chairman of the World Body of Chefs and team manager of the Culinary Olympics team)

The 2017 winning candidate wine steward will look forward to a brilliant travel experience with Distell including London, a two-day stay at The Montague on the Gardens – Red Carnation, working closely with the 67 Pall Mall sommelier team - an exclusive wine club in the heart of St James then travel to Scotland with visits to top distilleries Deanston and Bunnahabhain. On the itinerary, France, Bisquit in Cognac and an introduction to a world of wines in Bordeaux at La Cité du Vin.

The winners will be awarded with bursaries from the Cape Wine Academy and the South African Sommeliers Association and will have the opportunity of attending the launch of the prestigious Platter Wine Guide, tasting a large and varied selection of South Africa’s finest wines in the company of some of the country’s most experienced and trusted palates.

Candidate Wine Stewards with three of the judges. At the back judges from left to right: Higgo Jacobs (Chairman of the South African Sommeliers Association, Sandy Harper (CWM and International Wine Judge) and in front Germain Lehodey (CWM and Sommelier at Mosaic Restaurant)

Generous and practical prizes will be awarded by Distell, with iconic kitchen appliances from Dr Susanne Reuther of KitchenAid Africa, ScanPan Cookware and Global Knives from AL&CD Ashley. Meaningful bursaries from the Hospitality Property Fund and the International Hotel School will also be made available, with cash prizes from Avanti, including work experience with Germain Lehodey, a week at noted and internationally recognised Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient known for their superlative cuisine and wine cellar.

Candidates will also have the chance to be a special guest of Sandy Harper at the Old Mutual Executive Wine Club for a wine tasting on 11 October and a champagne tasting on 17 November 2017. In addition, prizes from Lancewood, Von Geusau Chocolates, elegant Riedel glassware and books for life from Random House Struik will also be on offer. Hotels will also be awarded prizes in various categories.

Participating hotels will includeGauteng: