Tourism Guide Africa Travel Guide February 2017 Edition | Page 17

THE PRESIDENT HOTEL WELCOMES SUMMER

WITH NEW SOMMELIER , MENU AND WINE LIST
Job ’ s wine journey became one of excitement when he began working at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl , early 2015 . They hosted some of the biggest wine challenges such as the Old Mutual Trophies . “ It was directed by my role model and inspiration , the famous wine critic Michael Fridjhon . When he speaks about wine , it feels so natural and easy – that ’ s what I want ”.

F rom the little town of Riebeek Kasteel to the President Hotel in Bantry Bay , Cape Town , Sommelier Job Jovo is the newest family member to the hotel . In 2010 , Job began his hospitality career as a waiter at The Royal Hotel , the oldest in the Western Cape . As the hotel always hosted the famous Swartland Revolution wine festival , Job was exposed to some of the most successful winemakers in the country , including Eben Sadie ( Sadie Family Wines ), Chris Mullineux ( Mullineux and Leeu Family Wines ) and Tongai Joseph Dhafana ( La Colombe ). This coupled with the temptation of the surrounding vineyards of Swartland , inspired Job to pursue the hospitality industry further and see what the world of wines had to offer .

“ I took my first step by enrolling with the Cape Wine Academy in 2013 which I am very grateful for as they equipped me with an extensive knowledge on the South African wines . I became very passionate and very hungry to learn more about wine and therefore enrolled with the Wines & Spirit Education Trust , governed by the International Wines Education Centre based in London and acquired my WEST level 3 in 2015 .” From there , Job became a member of the South African Sommelier Association in 2015 , being trained by experienced Sommeliers such as Higgo Jacobs and Joakim Hansi Blackadder .
In September , 2016 , Job spread his wings and joined the President Hotel . “ I love the energy of the hotel and I look forward to contributing to the development of the wine culture , especially with their newly launched wine journey ”.
Job ’ s focus will be on the new wine list at the hotel , the cocktails and the new artisanal gin collection . The new wine list at the President Hotel includes over 14 different wine farms , providing guests with the best wine selections in the country . Some of the wine farms include Buitenverwachting , Leopard ’ s Leap , De Grendel , Rickety Bridge , Blaauwklippen and more .
With great wines comes great food , ideal for pairing with the hotel ’ s newly launched summer menu , creating even more reason to visit the hotel . Guests can treat themselves from any number of their mouthwatering starters from prosciutto , citrus , buffalo mozzarella , avocado and basil on a ciabatta or perhaps west coast mussels
cooked in a creamy black bean and coconut sauce . For mains , guests can choose between a variety of vegetarian , seafood and meat dishes – wild mushroom risotto with parmesan shavings , salt and pepper squid with skinny fries , chargrilled lime and tartare sauce or a 300g smoked pork kassler , buttered pomme purée , roasted apples and mustard sauce . To end if all off , indulge in something a little sweeter such as their Tonka bean panna cotta with honeycomb and berries . If you ’ re looking for something a little lighter , The President has got you covered with their charcuterie platter , perfect with pairing the new wine selection or try a gourmet sandwich at Botany Café .
With Job ’ s expensive experience and passion for wine , paired with the hotel ’ s new delectable summer menu , guests will undoubtedly leave their stay at the President Hotel with an experience to remember .
Erica Goossens
TOURISM GUIDE AFRICA TRAVEL GUIDE
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