Now in its fourteenth year, the Challenge brings together 34 of the country's leading hotels, from the Cape to Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with 166 candidates competing across the various categories: Concierges (17), Wine Stewards (31), Hot Chefs (31), Pastry Chefs (31), Bakers (28) and Baristas (28). Each hotel is paired with a partner winery, and together they take part in a programme of mentorship, workshops and competition. To date, approximately 2,400 candidates have benefitted from the specialised training the Challenge provides.
Founded in 2013 by Showcook's Annette Kesler and Chania Morritt-Smith, the Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2026 continues to promote mentorship, staff upliftment and skills transfer within South Africa's hotel and tourism industry. This year the Challenge is supported by headline partner Union Tiles, owned by Gary Shayne, CEO of Origin Enterprises Ltd.
The Challenge draws on the depth of talent across a diverse portfolio of concierges, wine stewards, chefs, pastry chefs, bakers and baristas. It is designed to promote distinctive, memorable experiences for guests in the hotels' restaurants and bars, and to build lasting partnerships by keeping the focus on guests, committed team members and partners.
Chef and wine steward candidates work under the guidance of their executive chefs, head sommeliers, managers and the winemakers of their partner wineries. New for 2026, wine stewards also take on a Best Mastiha Cocktail category with Skinos Mastiha from Rialto Foods, alongside Perrier, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna mineral waters and Früt.
The Chef of the Year and the Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year will each undertake a three-week stage with Valor Hospitality at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, to be taken up in 2027. Flights courtesy of Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions and Lancewood. A R10 000 cash prize for the Hot Chef is provided by ZA Foods, and R10 000 for the Pastry Chef by Lancewood.
The winning wine steward will spend two weeks in the South of France with ACCOR Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne – MGallery Collection, with flights provided by Air France. In addition, the Wine Steward will attend the Sommeliers Academy to work towards professional sommelier certification, sponsored by Clearworld Suppliers. Both prizes reflect the Challenge's commitment to professional growth and international exposure.
"The Inter-Hotel Challenge is not just about competition; it's about growth, mentorship, and shaping the next chapter of South Africa's hospitality story." – Annette Kesler & Chania Morritt-Smith, Founders.
Mentorship in Motion
Each participating hotel has selected its most promising concierges, chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, wine stewards and baristas, mentored by their general managers, executive chefs, head concierges and food and beverage managers.
At the programme launch, Patrick Fisher, General Manager of the Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, a participant since the Challenge began, described it as an essential development platform and spoke of the responsibility the industry has to nurture its next generation.
Gary Shayne of Union Tiles said that supporting the Challenge is an investment in the future of the expanding South African hospitality and in the guest experience.
The Challenge has a record of producing industry leaders including Ndaba Dube, now Director of New Business and Partnerships at The President Hotel, first entered in 2013 as a Wine Steward candidate and today serves as a mentor and judge within the associated Young Stars Programme. He describes the Challenge as the catalyst that gave him the confidence to measure himself against the best in the industry.
Messages from Industry Leaders
As part of the Challenge, candidates attended orientation workshops and launch events in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, where industry professionals and guest speakers shared their expertise and lifted our emerging talent towards the standards that international competition demands.
Johannesburg
At our premier launch at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff on 21 July, French Ambassador David Martinon and Wilson Tauro of Air France both emphasised the strong French connection and the importance of building bridges, a message more relevant today than ever. At the workshop at the Sandton Sun, Matome Mbatha, Africa Market Manager of Wines of South Africa, was among the speakers. As always, Lancewood proved a winner, announcing their generous prizes.
Durban
At the Durban launch, Andrew Lee, General Manager of The Beverly Hills, welcomed the French Consul General, Mr Samuel Ducroquet, who gave an excellent and inspirational address to the candidates. At the Orientation Workshop at Southern Sun The Edward on 23 July, Kirtanya Maharaj of WWF-SASSI spoke on sustainable seafood and the role chefs play in driving change. Our eminent judge Sandy Harper (CWM) spoke on The Chef and Sommelier Connection, while Brenda Wilkinson of Rio Largo Olive Estate spoke about how South Africa’s olive oil is flourishing on the international stage and Tracy James from Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions on the history of rice and the origins of mustard.
At the first of our two launch lunches, held at The Vineyard Hotel on 30 July, Barry Ross of Valor Hospitality announced the prizes for the Hot Chef and Pastry Chef. At The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa on 20 August, Marisah Nieuwoudt, Manager, South African Wine Tourism, gave us a fresh perspective on South Africa’s place in the wine world.
The Orientation Workshop at Southern Sun Newlands on 28th July, brought together speakers from across our sponsors, who shared their considerable expertise. They included Darryn Lazarus of Clearworld Suppliers, Charlene Nieuwoudt of the much-lauded ClemenGold, and Maryna Calow of Platter’s Wine Guide, which remains South Africa’s leading wine guide.
Through mentorship, collaboration and opportunity, the Inter-Hotel Challenge continues to shape careers, raise standards and strengthen South Africa's hospitality community.
Grain and Grape to Glass
From Monday 7 to Friday 11 September, wine stewards from hotels across South Africa gathered in Cape Town for one of our most important annual Grain & Grape to Glass programmes, supported by Union Tiles. The week combined lectures, workshops and cellar visits: a Sommeliers Academy lecture with internationally acclaimed Sommelier Jean-Vincent Ridon; a water pairing session with S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna from Clearworld Suppliers; a cocktail workshop with Vlad Klaic of Alchemology with Skinos Mastiha, Flor de Caña, KWV Brandy, Früt and Perrier at Southern Sun The Cullinan.
The indepth Cape Wine Academy course with Wanda Cronje (CWM) at the Mount Nelson with KWV wines; a session with the winemakers from Cederberg, Paul Clüver Family VIneyards and Wildekrans, all participated in a tasting with the wine stewards introducing their wines, speaking about their personal philosophy in creating and producing these coveted wines. Other guest speakers included Catherine Yorke-Hart Miller, Brand & Communication Manager for Wines of South Africa, who spoke about telling the story of South African wine, and the part wine stewards play in sharing it with guests.
Visits to partner wineries where possible included Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Bellingham with Pandemonium Wines, Simonsig Family Vineyards, Jordan Wine Estate, Kleine Zalze, L'Avenir and Ernie Els Wines, as well the KWV Wine Emporium and House of Fire in Paarl.
Candidates visited The Diamond Works, hosted by judges Aimee Lentz (CMOO The Diamond Works) and Sandy Harper (CWM) with Lesego Modutle (Director, I Love Coffee Group – Disabilities advocate).
See Grain and Grape to Glass post, showcook.com, 20 September 2026
Heritage Day
On Heritage Day, Thursday 24 September, participating hotels offered the public a special Heritage Day lunch prepared with their candidate chefs and wine stewards, as part of the Chef's Table Challenge.
Prizes and Awards
Winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Dinner on 1 December. Prizes include:
- Wine Steward: a two-week experience with ACCOR in the South of France, with Air France flights; Sommeliers Academy training from Clearworld Suppliers; an International Hotel School online certificate in Hospitality Management with a R10 000 cash prize from the partnered wine estate.
- Most Promising Wine Steward: a bursary from Lynn Naidoo, Managing Executive of the International Hotel School, valued at up to R105 000, towards an online degree or diploma. KWV provides Cape Wine Academy bursaries to the top three wine stewards.
- Beverage bursaries: Rialto Foods awards a R30 000 bursary for the Best Mastiha Cocktail, and Janet Pillai of MLT Corp a R30 000 bursary for the Wonga Award.
- Chefs, Pastry Chefs and Bakers: Chef of the Year and Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year will each earn an extraordinary three-week stage with Valor Hospitality in Dubai at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, to be undertaken in 2027. Flights provided by Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions and Lancewood. In addition, the Hot Chef will receive a R10 000 cash prize courtesy of ZA Foods, and the Pastry Chef a R10 000 cash prize courtesy of Lancewood.
CTIA is sponsoring a bursary for the winning Hot Chef to join the ARPL Chef Programme (QCTO NQF Level 5). The Rio Largo Achiever Award for Most Promising Chef carries a cash prize from Rio Largo Estate, and The Waterfall School of Business will sponsor a Skills Certificate in Hotel & Catering Management. The KitchenAid Africa Bio-Wheat Baker of the Year receives a KitchenAid Food Processor, and the winning hotel a KitchenAid Commercial Mixer and R10 000 from Bio-Wheat. The ScanPan Excellent Kitchen Practice Award includes Highfield Level 3 Food Safety for Catering training.
- Baristas: cash prizes for the top three from Avanti Coffee, with coffee accessories from KitchenAid Africa and AL&CD Ashley.
- Hospitality Awards: R15 000 for The Diamond Works Concierge of the Year; gold lapel pins for the winning wine stewards and top three concierges; engraved gold cufflinks or a pendant for the Union Tiles GM of the Year; and for the Mentor of the Year, a weekend at Sun City and The Palace of the Lost City for two, with flights from The Diamond Works Institute and transfers by Dragonfly Africa.
- Special Awards: the WWF-SASSI Awareness Floating Trophy, recognising sustainable practice, and the KitchenAid Africa Best Team Floating Trophy. Further prizes from Penguin Random House, Platter’s Wine Guide, wine.co.za and Von Geusau Chocolates.
Judging Panel 2026
A panel of 28 judges representing the standards of the hospitality sector.
Concierge Skills
Aimee Lentz (The Diamond Works), David Gummers, Horst Frehse, Jeff Rosenberg, John de Canha, Lorna Gourlay (Platinum Encounters) and Mike Waller (Dragonfly Africa)
Food
Jocelyn Myers-Adams and Kyle Hickman (KZN, JHB and CPT)
Wine and Spirit Service
Cape Wine Master Sandy Harper and Sommelier Jean Vincent Ridon (KZN, JHB and CPT)
Wine & Food Pairing
Cape Wine Master Wanda Cronje (KZN, JHB and CPT), with:
- Mark O'Flaherty (KZN)
- Deon Roets (JHB)
- Aubrey Ngcungama (CPT)
Kitchen Skills
Julietta e Silva Overmeyer, with:
- Denisha Padayachee (KZN)
- Chef Lucky Masinya (JHB)
- Cody Dodgen (CPT)
Barista Skills
Elton Chikara, Oz Davids, Lebo Mahoko, Sabelo Mawonga, Moses Ndlovu, Lindo Nkosi, Prosper Sibanda, Ree Moya, Robert Shazi and Paula Visser
Culminating in Excellence
Individual Cook-Offs and Service Presentations for the 166 candidates take place in the last week of October, in three centres:
- KwaZulu-Natal: Tuesday 27 October, CTIA Chefs Training & Innovation Academy, Durban (9 teams)
- Gauteng and Northern Province: Wednesday 28 October, Capsicum Culinary Studio, Rosebank (9 teams)
- Western Province: Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, Capsicum Culinary Studio, Salt River, Cape Town (16 teams)
Nominees will be announced on Monday, 16 November culminating in the Gala Awards Dinner at the Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, on Tuesday, 1 December 2026, where winners will be announced.
Participating Hotels and Winery Partners
Western Cape
Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel ~ Cederberg Wines
Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers ~ Wildekrans Wines
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town ~ Simonsig Family Vineyards
Queen Victoria Hotel ~ Ernie Els Wines
Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront, Cape Town ~ Bellingham Pandemonium
Southern Sun Cape Sun ~ KWV
Southern Sun Newlands ~ KWV
Southern Sun The Cullinan ~ L'Avenir
TAJ Cape Town ~ Ernie Els Wines
The Cellars-Hohenort ~ Kleine Zalze
The Oyster Collection ~ Wildekrans Wines
The President Hotel ~ Ernie Els Wines
The Silo Hotel ~ Anthonij Rupert Wyne
The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa ~ Jordan Wines
The Vineyard ~ Paul Clüver Family Wines
The Westin Cape Town ~ Cederberg Wines
Gauteng & North West Province
54 on Bath ~ Simonsig Family Vineyards
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg ~ Bellingham Pandemonium
NH Johannesburg Sandton ~ Kleine Zalze
Sandton Sun & Towers ~ Paul Clüver Family Wines
Southern Sun Katherine Street Sandton Hotel ~ Wildekrans Wines
Southern Sun Rosebank ~ KWV
Sun City Convention Centre Hotel ~ L'Avenir
The Palace of the Lost City ~ Jordan Wines
Time Square Hotel ~ Anthonij Rupert Wyne
KwaZulu-Natal
Beverly Hills ~ Jordan Wines
Durban International Convention Centre ~ Kleine Zalze
Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga ~ Simonsig Family Vineyards
Sala Beach House ~ Bellingham Pandemonium
Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom ~ L'Avenir
Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani ~ Paul Clüver Family Wines
The Edward Hotel Durban ~ Anthonij Rupert Wyne
The Oyster Box
Wild Coast Sun ~ Anthonij Rupert Wyne
Partners and Suppliers
Headline partner: Union Tiles
Further Prizes: Dr Susanne Reuther of KitchenAid Africa and Wings Group; AL&CD Ashley, including SCANPAN and Global Knives; The Diamond Works Institute; International Hotel School; CTIA; Sommeliers Academy; Cape Wine Academy; Highfield; Penguin Random House; Von Geusau Chocolates.
Wines & Spirits: Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Cederberg Wines & Ghost Corner, Ernie Els Wines, Jordan Wines, Kleine Zalze, KWV, L'Avenir, Bellingham Pandemonium - DGB, Paul Clüver Family Wines, Simonsig Family Vineyards and Wildekrans Estate Wines; Skinos Mastiha and Limoncello Liquore di Sorrento (Rialto Foods); Perrier, S.Pellegrino, and Acqua Panna (Clearworld Suppliers).
Ingredients: Bio-Wheat Flour, Ciao, Clearworld Suppliers, ClemenGold, Colman's Mustard, Früt SA, Italian Deli-On-Line, Khoisan Sea Salt, LANCEWOOD and Lurpak Butter, Rio Largo Olive Oil, Tastic Rices of the World, Tiger Brands Food Service Solutions and ZA Foods.
Barista Training & Coffee: Avanti Coffee
Technical Support, Transport and Accommodation: The Diamond Works, VenueTech, Selby's Productions, InHouse Venue Technical Management, MLT Car Hire & Tours, Dragonfly Africa, Southern Sun and all the participating hotels
The Challenge develops specialist skills within the hospitality industry, giving winners exposure to international practice in their fields.
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