Plenty of hotels around the country are participating in the Distell Inter Hotel Challenge where their candidate chefs, wine stewards and concierges follow a learning path for the year and their skills are put to the test. I attended day 2 of the Cook-offs (test) at the Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town - and there was a buzz of activity, wine stewards nervously lurking and checking before Jean Vincent Ridon & Cape Wine Master Sandy Harper tested them on their hospitality and service skills as well as wine knowledge.The year so far has included them doing the Cape Wine Academy Introduction to Wine course, as well as the Wine Ambassador Course offered by Sommeliers Academy. There were some very proud moments as the certificates were received. Aubrey Ncgungama and Zimbabwean Sommelier Marlvin Gwese (also in the movie Blind Ambition) were the judges in the food and wine pairing section and the competition was stiff. We look forward the award ceremony (usually a glittering affair) on Thurs 1 Dec at the President Hotel in Sea Point. The Distell Inter Hotel Challenge foxuses on training, improvement, raising the standards of service and upliftment. May the best candidates win!