It is always a heart-warming time of the year, when the Interhotel Challenge awards night rolls around - the 'Oscars' of the hospitality awards. The Showcook team; Annette Kesler and Chania Morrit-Smith, do a wonderful job coordinating 30+ hotels and their candidates who participate in this challenge. Concierges, wine stewards, baristas and chefs of all descriptions are taken through extensive exposure to products, training, the industry and mentorship by so many who give back. They are put through their paces by strict judges and at the end of the year, the top candidates are recognised at a wonderful evening of awards. This year, the Cape Sun Hotel (part of the Southern Sun Group) hosted the awards dinner and as wine.co.za we were very pleased to hand over lovely wine.co.za cool bags with a delicous Stellenrust Rose bubbles (Prosecco style) included, accompanied by a lovely branded waiters' friends to the top wine-focused candidates. Congratulations to the recipients below - and read more HERE about the competition and incredible prizes they have won. 2025 Inter-Hotel Challenge winners The Diamond Works Concierge of the Year Veeshanee Chetty (InterContinental O.R. Tambo) Wine Stewards Inter-Hotel Challenge Wine Steward of the Year: Sfiso Soldaat (Twelve Apostles Hotel with Simonsig Family Vineyards) Most Promising: Lunga Mbatha (Beverly Hills with Fryer’s Cove) Up and Coming - the Wonga Award: Isiphile Mpiyakhe (Southern Sun Rosebank with De Wetshof) Exquisite Service Samuel August (Southern Sun Cape Sun with Anthonij Rupert Wyne) Best Cocktail with Flor De Caña Rum and Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks Winner: Isiphile Mpiyakhe (Southern Sun Rosebank) Rising Talent: Nicholette Botes (Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel with Bellingham Wines)