Cape Legends Inter Hotel Challenge Launched

"Not only does the Challenge encourage a culture of mentorship and promote skills development in the hospitality industry, it also has all the exciting elements of a great competition. It's fun as well as life-changing for the participants, who are exposed to the highest level of professionalism. It also gives a mutual boost to the wine and hospitality industries, which are both looking to identify and groom tomorrow's great sommeliers.

This is our fourth year of support for the initiative and we are enormously proud of our association. It's our way of giving back to the hospitality industry, of nurturing young talent, building skills and developing ambassadors for South African wine."

Creativity and enthusiasm is what the candidate chefs and wine stewards will be bringing to their entry. The Cape Legends Inter Hotel Challenge has seen the growth extending from the Cape to Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal with 23 top hotels on board.

Each of the hotels will be paired with an exquisite wine estate eitherAllesverloren, Alto,Durbanville Hills,Fleur Du Cap,Le Bonheur,Lomond, Nederburg, Neethlingshof,Plaisir de Merle, Pongrácz,Stellenzicht,UitkykorZonnebloem.

And in addition, a number of Distell's spirit brands will participate; Bain's * Bisquit * Black Bottle * Bunnahabhain * Scottish Leader * Monis * Van Ryn's

The Durban launch took place at The Protea Hotel Edward with Beverly Hills, Hartford House and Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani. All of them have really put their best foot forward and have made sure that the Cape Legends Inter Hotel Challenge has been launched with great style, exquisite food and enviable service. Hats off to all the teams that have created these memorable occasions.

The hotel industry is playing a largely unsung role in training, upliftment and nurturing. What the challenge has done over the past three years is to provide the opportunity, goals and inspiration, an ideal platform to grow careers.

Deputy Minister South African Tourism Tokozile Xasa, "While I cannot be with you today, I share in your excitement at the launch of another season of this wonderful initiative. This competition acknowledges the talents of some of SA's most creative and promising young chefs and wine stewards while at the same time recognising the crucial role of mentorship in the industry. Indeed, it has gained momentum and has fast become well known and well respected in the industry. We boast a strong industry and I want to assure you that we as government listen to you. Our Department will work hand in hand with you to realise our greater objective of growing this dynamic sector."