We introduce you to 2019 Distell Inter Hotel Wine Steward Candidate: Oscar Court Moyo from the Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton.
''I am a distinguished man in my late 50’s and have entered into this competition, not to win!
However I feel that I have a lot to offer the young generation still and would like for my children (whom I have promised them yet, again to let me work in the industry just for a few more years) and have allowed me to convince the management team at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton to give me this opportunity..
I would like to end my career with a bang and feel that this would be that chance. I started off in the restaurant and bar world as a young man running around for the men who knew the world of whisky and beers and I looked up to them in awe at the knowledge and the way they made serving a gentleman look easy, serving really expensive wines and selling them like they were gold and convincing the people buying them that it was! I knew then this is something I would like to learn.
Then learning the varietals and the difference a grape makes a wine given the correct temperature or the right climate or how weather affects the product, the wine was gold, it was gold! If you have the right wine served with the right food, you can hit the jackpot!
My journey starts….'
The hotel has been matched with Durbanville Hills wines and Three Ships Whisky
More about The Inter Hotel Challenge
The Distell Inter Hotel Challenge aims to encourage development in the hospitality industry, giving a much-needed leg up to young talent. It is an annual challenge run by Showcook, where hotels in South Africa are matched with Distell's fine wines and spirits. Young wine stewards & chefs are nominated by their hotels and compete annually for the top spot. The candidates receive training, do cook-offs and exams to improve and test their skills and awarded at a glittering 'Oscars' event in August.