A group of about fifty first and third year Hospitality students recently got the opportunity to demonstrate their culinary skills alongside industry leaders and world-renowned chefs at the 2009 Good Food and Wine Show.

The Show, which allows restaurants and hotels from around the country to showcase their best work and launch new food products for the market, took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 27 to 31 May 2009.

This is the second year that CPUT has participated in the event, and the first time the institution has worked with the sponsors Spekko Rice and Eastern Mosaic.

The students were accompanied by Hospitality Head of Department Rianne Voigt and other Cape Town Hotel School staff members. Dean of the Business Faculty Prof Mohamed Bayat also attended in order to support the institution’s efforts. At Restaurant Bites, the public were invited to sample the offerings of the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant, with the option of ordering a full meal. Students prepared a delicious South African-themed menu for the occasion, that included local favourites such as babotie and, breyani with ‘decadent cupcakes’ for dessert.

At the Hands-On Workshop sections, CPUT students helped set up and prepare the demonstration area for renowned chefs such as Marcos Georgiou, the Head Chef at Jamie Oliver’s chain of Italian restaurants, BBC regular Brian Turner, household name Ina Paarman and culinary personality Jenny Morris.

The students also circulated among the audience in order to provide a helping hand where needed.

The workshops were filmed by Eastern Mosaic, who also interviewed some of the CPUT participants.

“The Good Food and Wine Show provided the students with exposure to industry by their being able to view what is out there,” said Marketing and Functions Co-ordinator for the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant, Luke van Rensburg,

“Quite a few students got job offers,” he said.

Van Rensburg noted that the Good Food and Wine Show had not only helped market the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant as a culinary destination, but also drew the public’s attention to the Hotel School’s academic credentials, as a source of high quality hospitality training.

By Ilana Abratt

Photo: First year and third year Hospitality students prepare South African delicacies at the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant stand at the 2009 Good Food and Wine show.

Written by CPUT News
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The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) has upgraded the Cape Town Hotel School (CTHS), located at the picturesque Granger Bay campus, from a three-star to a four-star function venue.

The TGCSA is the only officially recognised quality assurance body for tourism products in South Africa and there are numerous advantages to being a graded venue.

“Once your establishment has been graded by one of our Accredited Grading Assessors and displays the TGCSA Star insignia, it takes a single glance for local and international visitors to recognise your quality and service excellence,” the TGCSA website states.

Head of Department, Rianne Voigt, said being graded assists the CTHS to achieve the highest level of quality assurance, promote optimal value for money and to give “customer expectation” the paramount position it deserves. Voigt said the new grading will give CPUT and CTHS a competitive advantage over non-accredited businesses.

“It will improve CPUT and CTHS’s reputation and it will be seen as a credible business and institution.  It will assure our customers about the quality of services and facilities we provide.  It will increase customer satisfaction and the chance of repeat business.”

With four stars excellent quality is expected and it is just one step away from five-star luxury.

In 2019 the TGCSA implemented revised grading standards for accommodation establishments. The revised grading system is far more thorough, more consistent and follows stringent quantitative and qualitative core requirements and quality standards.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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