The Inter Hotel Challenge, run by Showcook, is a prestigious national competition going into 12th highly successful year. It aims to identify and nurture potential hospitality talent, offering preparatory training, mentorship, and industry exposure to all participants. By fast-tracking training in hotel and restaurant services, they hope to enhance hospitality standards, promote job creation, and foster economic inclusion.
South Africa is the top culinary destination in Africa, with Cape Town leading the way as its pride, offering a diverse and mouthwatering selection of global cuisines. The city was recognised for the second time as "Africa’s Best Culinary City Destination" by the World Culinary Awards, which celebrates outstanding achievements in the global culinary industry.
There have been some spectacular success stories, including Ndaba Dube (director of operations at the President Hotel), Tinashe Nyamudoka (Kumusha Wines), Siyathokoza Molefe at Ossiano Underwater Fine Dining Restaurant at Atlantis The Palm Dubai Resort, and many more!
Event highlights
30 Teams: This year 30 teams, comprising 129 candidates, are competing across a variety of hotel and restaurant service categories, from wine stewards to baristas.
The categories are:
The cook-off and service presentation will take place at three regional culinary academies in October, with over 30 judges who will evaluate participants across categories, featuring esteemed professionals such as chief judge Hugh Von Zahn, Sandy Harper (CWM), sommelier Jean-Vincent Ridon and key judges from the South African Chefs Association including Jocelyn Myers Adams, Elsu Gericke and Fatima Stanley.*
This is the defining event culminating with the glamorous awards ceremony on 4 December at the renowned and stunning TAJ Cape Town.
Cook-off and service presentation dates
Announcing the judges
- Concierge judges: Aimee Lentz (The Diamond Works), Horst Frehse, John de Canha, Mike Waller (Dragonfly Africa), Lorna Gourlay and Jeff Rosenberg.
- Wine steward judges: Sandy Harper (CWM) and sommelier Jean Vincent Ridon
- Food and wine pairing judges: Aubrey Ngcungama and Wanda Cronje (CWM), sommelier Germain Lehodey, Kristina Beuthner (CWM), Karen Bloom (CWM), and Mark O’Flaherty.
- Food judges: Chief Judge Hugh Von Zahn, Jocelyn Myers Adams, Fatima Stanley, and Elsu Gericke.
- Kitchen hygiene judges: Julietta é Silva Overmeyer and Melissa Collop (Capsicum Culinary Studios, Cape Town), Candice Adams and John Mathi (Capsicum Culinary Studio, Rosebank), as well as senior lecturers Chef Denisha Padayachee (Hot Kitchen Judge), chef Kerusha Naidoo (Cold Kitchen Judge) from CTIA in Durban.
- Barista judges: Oz Davids, Paula Visser and Wayne Abrahams, accompanied by their team of highly skilled technical trainers from Avanti Coffee Company.
Keynote events
Empowering journeys, inspiring voices, and opportunities in hospitality and beyond.
The orientation workshops introduced candidates to the Challenge partners, judges, and guest speakers who shared valuable insights into industry best practices and vital personal development. Held in Johannesburg at the superb 54 on Bath, Durban at the gorgeous grande dame Southern Sun The Edward, and in Cape Town at the super efficient Sun Square City Bowl.
Regional launches held in August at the impressive leading hotels Sandton Sun, The Beverly Hills, The Vineyard Hotel and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa.
Keynote speakers
Keynote speakers at these events brought diverse perspectives and invaluable insights, aligning perfectly with the spirit of the Inter Hotel Challenge, which aims to uplift, innovate, and collaborate across all areas of hospitality and tourism. Their words not only motivated the candidates but also set the tone for an event committed to inclusivity, excellence, and shared growth.
Premier Alan Winde delivered an inspiring keynote address at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, emphasising the importance of the experiential economy in both the region and the country. He highlighted the value of creating, sharing, and innovating experiences, celebrating the future leaders of the hospitality and tourism industry. With a focus on year-round tourism, Winde addressed how the collaboration between government and the private sector is critical in driving job creation, raising standards, and enhancing the South African travel experience. His emphasis on the importance of healthy competition was a call to action for the industry to innovate, share skills, and work together to elevate the country’s brand identity. He also discussed essential factors such as air route developments, visa policies, and inclusivity in offerings for the disability sector, positioning South Africa as a highly marketable destination.
Lesego Modutle, a prominent disability advocacy specialist, delivered a powerful address at The Vineyard Hotel and The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, calling for greater inclusivity within the hospitality industry. As a South African Sign Language interpreter and DeafNet Africa Ambassador, Lesego emphasized the need to unlearn biases about the abilities of people with disabilities. She urged industry leaders to foster environments where barriers—whether physical, attitudinal, or systemic—are removed, allowing everyone to participate fully. Her passionate plea for disability-inclusive practices is not just about fairness, but about unlocking the unique talents and perspectives that individuals with disabilities bring. Lesego’s vision is to create spaces where innovation, creativity, and collaboration can thrive, and she inspired attendees to champion inclusivity in all aspects of the hospitality sector.
Prescillia Avenel-Delpha, a French executive with over 16 years of experience in brand strategy, digital product management, and marketing, delivered an inspiring keynote. With a background that includes L’Oréal, Unilever, and Trace, Prescillia currently focuses on data-driven strategies and customer-centricity in South Africa. She played a key role in launching Trace Academia, an e-learning platform for African youth, achieving over 2.5 million downloads. Passionate about inclusion and empowering youth, she introduced Trace+ and its creative courses, encouraging participants to unlock their full potential through innovative training opportunities. Prescillia delivered her keynote at both The Beverly Hills and at the Orientation Workshop at Southern Sun The Edward.
Waseem Carrim, CEO of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA): At the Johannesburg regional launch hosted by Southern Sun Sandton Sun & Towers, Waseem Carrim, CEO of NYDA, addressed the audience with a focus on youth empowerment and career development within the hospitality industry. He spoke about the crucial role that initiatives like the Inter-Hotel Challenge play in providing young professionals with opportunities to gain practical skills, receive mentorship, and kickstart their careers. His message highlighted the NYDA’s commitment to fostering a generation of skilled, confident, and motivated individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to the economy. Carrim’s vision aligns with the Challenge’s goal of creating pathways for youth in the hospitality sector, ensuring they have access to training, networks, and growth opportunities.
Competition categories
- Concierges: To present an exceptional experience for visitors to South Africa encompassing ‘The ABC to experiencing South Africa ~ Adventure & Adrenaline * Botanical & Birds * Cultural & Cuisine’.
- Wine stewards: Present a signature gin cocktail and a perfect brandy serve along with a partnered winemaker’s choice of three wines.
- Hot chefs: Prepare a vegetarian starter and main using WWF-SASSI green listed fish, stone ground flour, rice, olive oil, sea salt and lemon
- Pastry chefs: Create the best dessert as well as a fresh lemon meringue tart.
- Bakers: Present three styles of bread; brioche, sourdough and a whole wheat
- Baristas: Serve three styles of coffee including espresso, cappuccino, and one specialty drink.
Participating hotels and partners
A comprehensive list of participating hotels and Challenge partners who contribute to the success of this event:
Hotels: 54 on Bath Southern Sun, Beverly Hills, Century City Conference Centre & Hotels, Durban ICC, Ellerman House, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Gold Reef City Hotel Tsogo Sun, InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel, The Lagoon Beach Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, Queen Victoria Hotel, Sandton Sun & Towers Southern Sun, Silverstar Hotel Tsogo Sun, Southern Sun Cape Sun, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, Southern Sun Newlands, Southern Sun The Cullinan, Southern Sun The Edward, Sun City Convention Centre, The Palace of the Lost City, Taj Cape Town, The Oyster Box, The President Hotel, The Silo Hotel, The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, The Vineyard Hotel, The Waterfront Concierge, The Oyster Collection and Zevenwacht Country Inn & Restaurant.
Wines and spirits: Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Backsberg, Bellingham Wines, Boschendal, Brampton Wines, Bruce Jack Wines, Cederberg Wines, De Grendel, De Wetshof, Ernie Els Wines, Fryer’s Cove, Kleine Zalze, Old Road Wine Co., Simonsig Family Vineyards, Van Loveren Family Vineyards, Zevenwacht, ClemenGold Gin Hope Distillery and Sydney Back Potstill Brandy
Ingredients: Avanti Coffee, Bio-Wheat, Fish4Africa, Früt SA, Khoisan Sea Salt, Lancewood, LemonGold®, Lurpak Butter, Rio Largo Olive Oil, Tastic Rice
Technical support: VenueTech and Selby’s Productions
Décor: Petals Group
Transport logistics: MLT Car Hire & ToursDragonfly Africa
Accommodation: 54 on Bath Southern Sun , Beverly Hills, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, Southern Sun The Edward, Southern Sun The Cullinan, Southern Sun Cape Sun, Southern Sun Newlands, SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl, The Vineyard Hotel, Mount Nelson A Belmond Hotel Cape Town, President Hotel and TAJ Cape Town
Prizes: AL&CD Ashley, Avanti Coffee, Books for life from Penguin Random House, Brabantia, Cape Wine Academy, Global Knives, Highfield and Didactix, Hope Distillery, IIE HSM, International Hotel School, KitchenAid Africa, La Creuzette, LANCEWOOD, LemonGold®, Marriott International, MLTCar Hire & Tours, National Youth Development Agency, Newmark Group, Penguin Random House, Richard Von Geusau Chocolates, Rio Largo Olive Estate, ScanPan, Simonsig Family Vineyards, Sommeliers Academy, South African Sommeliers Association, The Diamond Works, The Hall Collection, Valor Hospitality, and Von Geusau Chocolates.
Prizes announced
Celebrating excellence in hospitality and culinary arts
Do see the array of extraordinary prizes for this year’s winners, highlighting the incredible opportunities awaiting the top achievers. From culinary experiences to generous educational bursaries, these prizes celebrate passion, innovation, and excellence in the hospitality industry.
Click HERE to see the prizes.
The Inter-Hotel Challenge South Africa 2024 is more than a competition rather an important stepping stone for South Africa’s next generation of culinary and hospitality leaders, bringing together industry partners, judges, and aspiring talents to shape the future of South Africa’s most vital hospitality sector.