Celebrating Five Years of Excellence

Last week marked the launch of the Cape Legends & Artisan Spirits Inter Hotel Challenge, this year the venue was the bespoke Hartford House who hosted the event.

2017 is the fifth year of the Inter Hotel Challenge, sponsored by Cape Legends fine wines and choice Distell artisan spirits, celebrated in the industry as the'Hotel Oscars'!

Cape Legends & Artisan Spirits Inter Hotel Challenge is a remarkable national initiative embracing 30 top hotels in South Africa. Hotels that are known for their gracious style, vital support of their staff, willingness to uplift, train and educate. Bringing about, over time, a transformation of lives.

"Understanding the social initiatives of each and every hotel has been a humbling experience. These incredible commitments reach out to communities countrywide and include all facets of life,"says Annette Kesler, Editor of Showcook.com.

Hartford House hosted the pre-event dinner showcasing their new talent and innovative culinary ideas. Chef Constentjin together with his team presented a wonderful display of culinary genius, which he would like to pass to his selected nominees.

This year KwaZulu-Natal is represented byBeverly Hills,Durban International Convention Centre,Hartford House,Protea Hotel Edward, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani.

Cape Legends & Artisan Spirits Inter Hotel Challenge has two basic initiatives, which have certainly developed far beyond the original concept; theSkills Exchange Development Programmeand theGrape to Glass,which takes place in the Cape every year introducing the wine stewards to well known Cape Legends winemakers at some of the finest estates and given an excellent introduction to the world of spirits encompassing fine whisky and elegant brandies.

On the wine side there is tremendous growth with superb tuition from TheCape Wine Academyand TheSouth African Sommeliers Association. They are pushing the boundaries introducing a more in-depth wine appreciation taking into consideration the students' capabilities, ultimately preparing them for a satisfying career. Instilling and encouraging a love and understanding of wine culture, which has in turn produced some fine sommeliers, wine stewards and knowledgeable waiters. For them, we hope that this will become a commitment to a lifetime choice of career.

The Skills Exchange Development Programme has become a special date on the calendar with international chefs, South African star chefs, and up and coming stars that demonstrate and share skills. An exciting day for our aspiring chefs, while our wine stewards are introduced to the art of red wine blending with Guy Webber ofStellenzichtand to making scintillating cocktails withBlack Bottle!

Speaking at the launch of Cape Legends & Artisan Spirits Inter Hotel Challenge, Mick Goss, owner of the Hartford House, "We all know that uncertainty breeds opportunity and opportunities like these shape careers and through collective compassion we shape the nations."

He concluded with a famous quote, "We live once but if we do it right, once is enough." Thanking the organisers the Goss family reminded the invited guests about the importance of coming together and using the collective resources to uplift our communities.

TheRegional Cook-Offswill take place in June in Johannesburg and Cape Town at theCapsicum Culinary Studio, in Durban at the International Hotel School.

Using choice ingredients;Woodview Angus Beefcreative cuts in myriad ways,Lancewood Cheese,Rio Largo Olive OilandKhoisan Sea Salt. We look forward to introducingBio-WheatStone Ground Unbleached Natural Flour to the Bakers. The Fourie family has been farming in the Overberg region for decades and offer a choice range!

This year the winning Candidate Chef will be awarded a brilliant opportunity of a three-week visit to Dubai withThe Marriott Ritz-Carlton Hoteland their flagshipJW Marriott Marquis,where they will experience fine dining and large scale catering.

"Certainly the past five years of the Cape Legends & Artisan Spirits Inter Hotel Challenge have been both exacting and exhilarating. Our winners deserve accolades for their dedicated commitment! There has been overwhelming support for the candidates from top management throughout, which has shown a true generosity of spirit!"says Chania Morritt-Smith.