Candidate Wine Steward in Cape Legends and Artisan Spirits Inter Hotel Challenge 2017: Beverley Hills Hotel
Nomande hails from Mpopomeni in the Natal Midlands. She left school in standard nine and found work at the Botanical Gardens Cafe as a trainee. This was her first taste of the hospitality industry, and she instantly knew engaging and pleasing people was what she wanted to do.
It was only when she joined the upmarket fine dining restaurant of Traffords in Pietermaritzburg, that she was given an opportunity of learning about wines.
This was life changing.
A polite , well spoken and hardworking young lady, Nomande believes she has found her calling in ‘wines ’. As a waitress she has been introduced to pairing wine with dishes and wishes to follow this passion as a career. Her eyes light up with the mention of wine in conversation or debates. She has a natural talent for wine pairing and a huge apetite for learning ‘all things wine.’
Under the guidance of the owner of Traffords, Penny Hatting, Nomande achieved her WSET 1 and WSET 2, (proof of qualification available if required) and is determined to get her WSET 3.
When the owners of Traffords closed their doors to immigrate to Austrialia Nomande seized the opportunity to become a waitress and the Beverly Hills hotel. She has a knack of building relationships with guests, and with her effervescent personality, welcomes return guests by name. She is keen to increase her work experience and knowledge of food and wine. She is motivated, self- disciplined and is a great team player with a strong work ethic.
The Beverly Hills family wish Nomande the very best of luck on the Interhotel Challenge journey this year.