Words: Belinda Mountain | Images: Supplied
In August the winners of the sixth annual Distell Inter Hotel Challenge were announced during a glamorous ceremony at the Belmond Mount Nelson. These hospitality industry awards were founded by dynamic duo Annette Kesler and Chania Morritt-Smith, aiming at mentoring promising South African talent.
“Tourism employs more people than the mining sector and continues to grow,” said Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom, who attended the event. The primary objective of this competition is therefore to create and sustain a strong national base of top-quality chefs, bakers and wine stewards, through a rigorous mentorship programme. After six months of workshops, lectures and cook-offs, awards are given in categories such as Chef of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Most Promising Baker, Best Menu Presentation and Wine Steward of the Year.
Annual winners then go on to make a name for them, such as Tinashe Nyamudoka (pictured), head sommelier, The Test Kitchen. “Winning the inaugural competition gave me the impetus to further enhance my career, and the recognition allowed me to get more opportunities,” he comments.
It also helps them to dream bigger, says Gizelle Els, who was the runner-up Best Chef in 2016 & 2017. She says the competition opened doors for her internationally, when she was offered the opportunity of a lifetime: a three-year contract at Michelin Star Hotels in the NH Hotel Group. “I will always remember where my roots are in South Africa and the mentorship that Jean-Pierre de la Motte provided during my culinary traineeship,” she says. She’s now gaining invaluable experience under chef Arturo Dalhuisen at The White Room, learning about food preparation and plating to world-class Michelin standards.
But it’s not only about nurturing promising stars, it’s about continuing the cycle of mentorship, says Ndaba Dube, Square Restaurant manager, The Vineyard, who won 2nd runner-up Best Wine Steward in 2014. “Personally I grew in confidence which helped me become a better ambassador for the hotel. What then stood out was that my role changed from being a mentee to a mentor,” he says, which has been hugely fulfilling for him.
After all, as organiser Kesler says, “The hotel industry is the heartbeat of tourism”, and these awards make a tangible difference towards maintaining high standards in an industry that is crucial to the future of South Africa’s economy.
