Distell Inter Hotel Challenge 2019 'Oscars' glittering awards night

The 2019 Distell Inter Hotel Challenge Awards evening was held on Saturday 3rd August at the Southern Sun Cape Sun. The event has become the Oscars of the hospitality industry, with over 30 hotels participating from all over the country.  The Challenge aims to uplift and upskill young wine stewards and chefs, with each hotel nominating a candidate Wine Steward and Chef who then participate in number of educational sessions and mentorships to improve their level of knowledge.  

The candidates even spend a day in the winelands with their allocated wine and spirits brands to get to know them better.  The various sponsors also get to present to the candidates during the orientation days held throughout the country.

The final exams and cook-offs are held in June and the top chefs and wine stewards are announced at the very OTT glittering awards evening.  It is a long night and the candidates nerves must be shot by the end of it!

The Winning Wine Steward for 2019 is Lovejoy Neshamba from Ellerman House, with 2nd place going to Brian Nyamara from The Saxon Hotel. and the energetic Matakatso Moshoeshoe from Spier taking 3rd place.  It was really wonderful to see the energy and emotion of the evening - as the awards are highly sought after - with prizes consisting of international trips and work experience at top hotels (Minor Hotels - Bangkok) and restaurants (Restaurant Mosaic)

CHEF OF THE YEAR 2019: 
Johandré Grobler, Sun Time Square (Sun International)
2nd: Riashnie Thaver Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani (Tsogo Sun)
3rd: Nicholas Freitas Sandton Sun (Tsogo Sun)

Congrats to all the winners - see more HERE on who won what.