First Black Cape Sommelier in South Africa

Cape Wine Academy MD, Marilyn Cooper with newly appointed Cape Sommelier, Milton Makhaza.

Marilyn Cooper, MD of the Cape Wine Academy's and Cape Wine Master says, “We launched the Cape Sommelier programme to ensure that South Africa's service levels compete globally. Our qualification is internationally recognised as being comparable with the best Sommelier's working in leading hotels in the world.”

To gain this qualification, students have to complete a number of intense courses covering over 105 contact hours, plus three years practical experience in the service of wine and food. The final examination requires the candidate to organise a minimum of a three-course meal presenting wine and food to demonstrate the candidate's ability to act as a Sommelier.

“It is surely going to open doors for me as I strive up the corporate ladder in the advancement of my career. Hard work, dedication and perseverance are the only ingredients to achieve your goals in life. I recommend the Cape Wine Academy to kick start your career,” comments Makhaza.

Says Germain Lehody, International Sommelier and Restaurateur, and 2009 panel Chairperson, “Achieving Sommelier status means that this person is probably the most qualified professional in the industry to match food with wine in any establishment worldwide. Any establishment employing a Sommelier illustrates its absolute attention to service and guest relationships and excellence.”

Concludes Makhaza, “I would like to see more young people like myself enrolling in wine studies and seeing it as a profession, not a mere drinking hobby. South Africa is producing excellent wines, which need ambassadors to narrate our story. Moreover, we need to maintain standards of fine dining through creative food and wine pairing.”