|
Forum Homini's rising stars
Not only do stars shine brightly in the evening sky, they are also twinkling at Forum Homini in the form of young 23 year old, Milton Makhaza - one of our fabulous trainee sommeliers.
Milton (left) and Brilliant (right)
Having recently won Waitron of the year, Milton has been studying to become a star graded Cape sommelier.
He says it all began as a job, but become a passion after he spent many wine tastings with sommelier Franco McKeller at The Orient. Milton become an assistant to Franco during a wine tasting and after seeing his passion begin to develop, Franco decide to work closer with Milton and taught him about various wines. Says Milton, "At first it was just really weird - all I tasted was alcohol, but eventually I began to understand and appreciate all the different wine tastes and how it plays on the palate". Franco suggested that Milton begin to study at the Cape Wine Academy and this is how his sommelier journey began at the end of 2006 and continuing as one of roots restaurant's rising stars.
Whilst studying, he received many invitations to attend wine tastings at different restaurants and he endeavoured to attend as many as possible and by doing so, he was able to experience the various wine brands.
In December 2007 he joined the Forum Homini team where he began working in the hotel’s restaurant, roots. He was taught all about food and wine pairing concept which is what makes the restaurant so popular. This was a new avenue for Milton but now he thoroughly enjoyed the food pairing and it has elevated his wine knowledge to new heights and experientially it is very creative – which is what he enjoys.
One of his highlights for 2008 was the Restaurant Business competition where he won best waitron of the year award. The competition was well supported and waitrons from some of the top notch restaurants were in the running. Milton was thrilled to have won, He grins “I think that my knowledge and passion for food and wine pairing helped me gain those extra points!”
When asked about his favourite wine, he answers without hesitation “Cederberger by Cederberg Estate it’s a Shiraz blend and is a very versatile wine, but what I love the most is the pepper characteristics of this wine”.
Milton mentions that he noticed not many African sommeliers are studying this unique course and he feels that restaurants should uplift their waiters and guide them into training for this trade as it is a great opportunity for both parties.
He tries to educate his friends, he says, about wine appreciation and when dining out, he gets them to loose inhibition and share a food and wine paring experience with him and they normally end up loving it! They see his small wine collection as a “party to be had” but Milton, shakes his head and smiles and says “As some of the bottles hold sentimental value to me, I explain that I keep the wine’s for very special occasions only – it all about sharing it with the right people – it’s my passion after all!”
Keep a look out for this up and coming wine fundi who will have his full qualification as a Cape Sommelier in six months time!
Put him to test next time you dine at roots and let Milton wow you!
Wine tasting with Beaumont Estate
|
Wednesday:
|
5 November 2008
|
|
Time:
|
19:00
|
|
Dinner:
|
R350pp (6 course gourmet dinner with 6 wine teasers)
|
Family. Tradition. Craft
The Beaumont range of fine wines includes a Chenin Blanc, the unwooded Jackals River Chardonnay; with the Hope Marguerite - a wood-matured Chenin Blanc - the white wine flagship. An elegant Pinotage and Shiraz are joined by the Ariane, a Bordeaux blend, and South Africa's first single-variety Mourvèdre. Goutte d'Or Noble Late Harvest and the Cape Vintage complete the hand-crafted range.
Wine Tasting with Bouchard Finlayson Estate
|
Wednesday:
|
3 December 2008
|
|
Time:
|
19:00
|
|
Dinner:
|
R350pp (6 course gourmet dinner with 6 wine teasers)
|
Near the Southernmost point of Africa lies a valley named Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) framed by mountains and within sight of the ocean, with frost free, soft, beneficial weather and the most perfect clay shale vineyard soils.
Established in 1989, Bouchard Finlayson is a boutique winery dedicated to the making of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc wines of outstanding quality.
Festive Season at Forum Homini & Roots
Festive Season overnight packages
Take this opportunity to spoil your partner this festive season with an overnight package including dinner and breakfast at Forum Homini and roots at an unbelievable Festive rate!
Cost: R950pp sharing (Standard Luxury Suite including DBB)
Valid 16 December 2008 - 31 January 2009
excluding 24,25,31 December (nett rate only and subject to availability)
Christmas lunch - 25 December 2008
Enjoy a festive 6 course Christmas lunch including wine teasers with a welcoming drink on arrival. Receive a special gift from the Forum Homini team.
Cost: R500 per person
Christmas Overnight packages
Including accommodation, Christmas lunch, light Christmas dinner, Oyster breakfast and a special gift on arrival.
Cost: From R4290 per couple
New Year's eve - 31 December 2008
Celebrate bringing in the new year with style and join us at our Sinatra themed dinner and dance evening which promises to "Fly you to the moon" with Frank! Included is a 5-course dinner extravaganza with wine teasers and a Champagne countdown at 24:00.
Cost: R650 per person
New Year's overnight packages
Including accommodation, New Year's eve dinner dance countdown, Oyster breakfast and special gift on arrival
Cost: From R4290 per couple
New year's / Boxing day - 1 January 2009
5 course Oyster & Champagne brunch
Indulge in a refreshing oyster brunch whilst celebrating a new year ahead.
Cost: R185 per person
Forum Homini Patron,
We would like to thank all our patrons who supported us at the recent Taste of Joburg event. Event's such as this enhance awareness and allow each restaurant to showcase itself over a period of 4 days. Where else could one visit and experience so many fantastic restaurants in such a short-period of time. We were thrilled to be part of this event!
Hope to see you even more supporters at the Taste of Joburg 2009!
Warm Hominid regards,
Juanita Marais
|
.png){kind=small}
