2025 sees the 13th year of the Inter Hotel Challenge and it goes from strength to strength. The sheer number of prizes available to the participants is an indication of the high regard the hospitality industry has for Annette Kesler's brainchild. Chania Morritt-Smith has been at Annette's side for many years and is Showcook's organisational machine behind the scenes, ensuring it all runs smoothly! I have been attending their launches and lunches since the beginning of time, and this year there were 2 separate launches in Cape Town as there are too many hotels participating to do it all in one session! I attended at The President Hotel, where we were introduced to some of the excited and nervous candidates, from wine waiters to concierges to pastry chefs, baristas and hot chefs. The President Hotel's Operations Director is none other than Ndaba Dube, who walked off with the "best up-and-coming sommelier" at the inaugural launch of the then Distell Inter Hotel Challenge. There is no shortage of confidence in these young people and I look forward to seeing them learn and compete. Wines are a very important part of the process, and each hotel is matched with a wine brand, and it is encouraging to see so many of our winery clients participating; Anthonij Rupert, , Avontuur, Backsberg, Bellingham, Boschendal, Brampton, Cederberg, De Wetshof, Fryers Cove, Jordan, Kleine Zalze, Old Road Wines, Simonsig and Van Loveren. The fortunate candidates are exposed to product education, service training, wine tastings, food and wine pairings and they are well suppored by the many generous sponsors; Rio Largo, Bio-Wheat, Von Gesau Chocolates, Lancewood, Kitchen Aid, Hotel groups, Tastic, Scanpan, The Diamond Works, Sommeliers Academy, Cape Wine Academy, Khoisan Salt and many more. We look forward to watching these enthusiastic young people forge their way in the hospitality industry.