HEINEKEN Beverages has assumed the headline sponsorship of the competition, taking over from the Distell Group, following its acquisition by HEINEKEN Beverages in April.  

Maroga said the company was helping to ignite and sustain careers in hospitality and tourism, by giving talent a chance to excel and grow for the long term. Some category winners in the competition, she said, would earn once-in-a-lifetime mentorships abroad with internationally renowned experts, as well as certified training with local specialists. 

Winners receive trophies, cash prizes and, in the case of the wine, mixology and cheffing category winners, the chance to be mentored abroad by legendary talents, as well as bursaries to build locally on their existing know-how.”  

Those encouraging trends, Maroga said, had been followed by more good news. She cited the country’s twin triumph at last month’s (July) 2023 The Telegraph Travel Awards, when South Africa had taken the title of the world’s best country to visit, and Cape Town had claimed the crown as the world’s best city (3). The UK, where The Telegraph is published, is the biggest source of overseas visitors to the country. In other awards, the country had also featured very well on the list of the world’s top 50 vineyards (4) and had one listing on the coveted world’s 50 best restaurants (5). 

Last year’s winner of the Wine Steward of the Year award Pieter Bekker of the Taj Cape Town had spent time training in Ireland’s County Mayo. He had also completed his Level 2, junior sommelier training with the SA Sommeliers’ Academy. Moreover, he had been the only South African candidate in 2023 to have achieved Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) certification (Level 1).

Tiago Sarmento, general manager of Cape Town’s iconic Belmond Mount Nelson that was a regular participant in the challenge, said it was a great motivator for staff to up their game. “I have worked in 13 countries thus far and I can say that this contest is without a doubt the most comprehensive and inspiring of any I have encountered. It gives young people the opportunity to shine and creates a pipeline of inspiration for those who follow.”