The practical component of the competition will test their knowledge of wine styles and tasting ability in the form of a blind tasting, assess their competence in making food and wine pairing recommendations and their ability to perform tasks of professional wine service. The finals will take place in Cape Town in October 2014.
• Gareth Ferreira, Saxon Boutique Hotel, Johannesburg
• Angie Langlands, The Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga Rocks
• Juliet Urquhart, The Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga Rocks
• Tinashe Nyamudoka, The Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga Rocks
• Jennifer Holmes, Singita Sabi Sand
• Cashias Gumbo, La Colombe Restaurant, Constantia
• Rylan Gentles, Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch
Judges at all rounds of the competition include internationally trained sommeliers, Cape Wine Masters and members of the hospitality trade. The South African Sommelier Association is fully behind The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award and some of its members will again be judges at the semi-finals and the finals. For more information, go to www.wineserviceaward.co.za.
