This is the 2nd year of the Challenge and I attended one of the Finals days - both the cook-off and the test for the candidate wine stewards and chefs - held at the South African Chefs Academy in Observatory in Cape Town on Wed 17th June 2014. There were 5 Wine Steward candidates who came from all over the country and the standard was high. The wine judges Chris de Klerk (Distell), Michelle Grimbeek (Cape Wine Academy) and Higgo Jacobs (Sommelier) were tough on them and each has about a half-hour test - on both presentation and knowledge of their products. This was the first year that the competition was held throughout the country with hotels participating from all over - Cape Town, Joburg & Durban, with10 chefs and 10 wine stewards reaching this stage. We look forward to the winners being announced on Friday 25th July at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town at a glittering affair where the various candidates showcase their talents again.