After receiving CVs, and completed questionnaires, from aspiring sommeliers from across the country, Gaggenau, in association with South African Sommeliers Association (SASA), have selected their top five successful finalists.
The young sommeliers in the finals are Juliet Urquhart, Wikus Human, James Mukosi, Pardon Taguzu and Joakim Hansi Blackadder.
These talented wine professionals will take part in the two-day competition, which takes place at the Gaggenau Showroom, in the Cape Town BSH Experience Centre. Their skills and knowledge will be pushed to the limit, in the search for the winning young sommelier.
“We are incredibly excited to host South Africa’s first Gaggenau Sommelier Awards. A celebration of the discipline, art, passion and appreciation of wine and wine making, this competition is an opportunity to not only promote the skills of young sommeliers locally, but to give them the opportunity to represent South Africa on an international level,” says Elizabete Nelson, Gaggenau Communications Manager in South Africa.
The Prize
The winner of this year’s Gaggenau South Africa Sommelier competition will automatically qualify for the International Gaggenau Sommelier Awards that will take place in Beijing, China later this year. Here, the winner will compete against multi-talented sommeliers from around the globe and show off their wine mastery and erudition.
Astute industry leaders, including Higgo Jacobs, Abigail Donnelly, Michael Crossley and Jean-Pierre Rossouw, will panel the judging for this year’s local competition.
The Finalists
Joakim Hansi Blackadder was born and raised in Sweden, where he also started his sommelier studies and career. He moved to South Africa in 2008 and is currently one of the Managing Partners for Somm Hospitality Enterprises in Stellenbosch.
Juliet Urquhart is currently the Beverage Manager and Sommelier at the Royal Portfolio Silo Hotel and, since 2008, has lived out her passion at some of South Africa’s most acclaimed hotels and restaurants.
Pardon Taguzu is currently a Sommelier at Aubergine Restaurant and Auslese Function Venue in Cape Town. He is a passionate and dedicated young sommelier who has been honing his craft since 2015.
Zimbabwean born James Mukosi is a self-motivated, devoted sommelier who has been making waves in the restaurant industry in South Africa. He is currently the Assistant Sommelier at Rust en Vrede Restaurant in Stellenbosch.
Wikus Human is currently living his passion as a Sommelier at David Higgs’ acclaimed Marble Restaurant in Rosebank, Johannesburg. This young sommelier has been continuously striving to sharpen his knowledge and skills since 2013.