Showcook organises two big competitions annually, one of which is the Reaching for Young Stars, where they pair up candidates from leading culinary academies in the Western Cape with wineries. The Taj Hotel is hosting the competition. As the media launch, Showcook and Taj treated us to an incredible Indian-themed Winemakers' Lunch on Thursday, 7 May 2026, where the wineries showcased their 3 wines selected for the competition, paired with delicious Indian dishes. Indian chef Rakesh Pawar kicked off with a rocket of a starter – an amuse bouche with a difference, the Dahi Bhalla (a mix berry relish and Kala Chaat Masala). It was incredibly impressive, a real smoke and mirrors performance! The candidates, the wineries and the culinary academies for 2026 are: Katherine Hudson and La Motte – Emeris Chelsi Louw and Cederberg Wines – International Hotel School Blayze Morris and Simonsig Family Vineyards – CTIA Chefs Training and Innovation Academy Tafadzwa Mupotsa and Constantia Glen – Capsicum Culinary Studio Ntando Vilakazi and Kleine Zalze – The Silo Internship Programme Tawananyasha Kaliyati and Zoetendal Wines – Cooktastic Luke Watkins and Laborie Wines – Superyacht Culinary Academy Litha Boloti and Ernie Els Wines – Cape Town Hotel School, part of the Faculty of Business Management Sciences of CPUT This initiative provides students with a valuable platform to excel and gain recognition within their chosen field. As these rising stars compete for top honours, their skills will be on full display, with the winners set to be revealed on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at the iconic Taj Cape Town. Organised by Showcook.com in partnership with renowned culinary expert Annette Kesler, the programme goes beyond celebrating culinary mastery – it is a holistic platform aimed at developing potential.