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ABOUT
Germain Lehodey
Born in Normandi, France in 1957 bla bla bla bla bla bla need an intruductory paragraph that states from birth to best 1 best 2 first 1 first 2
2021-2022 IVORY MANOR
I started consulting Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel, the east of Pretoria, to raise their standard of service and create a top-class wine list for them which saw this boutique hotel receiving serveral awards in 2022.
Thi excellent established has involved me in fund raising events and allowed me to introduce a successful honey tasting
(first of its kind in South Arfrica).
May 2021
South Africa's first honey tasting was presented by Germain Lehodey at Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel. This event was so successful that an article published in the Sunday Times (12 May 2021) about it and a second tasting was arranged Smack Pizza Co, in Johannesurg weeks later.
February 2022
The 10 Grand Crus from the Beaujolais region was presented, as a first in Gauteng, at La Madeleine in Pretoria East.
June 2022
Distell Blind Tasting
Challege was an opportunity to test the participants' knowledge and skills in recognising and naming different food and beverages.
Each participant received a certificate of participation for this event.
July 2022
15 wine farms took part in this charity function raising R75 000 for PEN.
PEN is a faith based community born out of the Dutch Reformed Chruch that has ignited change, rebuilt communities, and nurtured togetherness in the inner city of Pretoria for the past 30 years.
2020-2021 ABC OF WINES
I started my own company which, amongst others, provides services like distribution of wines, training of staff at all levels, wine presentations for private functions and other associations.
2020
Private function at
Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel
The art of opening a bottle of Chateau Climens 1929 without the use of a
bottle opener
I awarded this wine
100 points
Private function at the
South African Reserve Bank
2019
Kanonkop book
signed by the owners, winemaker and author
2018-2020 DGB
Sommelier / Wine Representative
I went to Mauritius and Reunion Islands to represent and promote Douglas Green Bellingham's wines with great success.
I created the first-ever food and wine pairing at Makro Silver Lakes, Pretoria, in 2019 for 25 people inside the actual liquor store. It was a massive success!
I also created a wine show at The Farm Inn, Silver Lakes, in February 2020 just before the Covid19 lockdown.
2019
DGB function in Bloemfontein
2020
I created a wine show at
The Farm Inn, Pretoria
2019
Food and wine paring inside Makro Liquor Store,
Silver Lakes, Pretoria
2019
Old Road Wines promotion at Makro Woodmead,
Johannesburg
2013-2017 RESTAURANT
MOSAIC
I was the Sommelier at this prestigious establishment. When I started at Restaurant Mosaic in 2013, the restaurant was not listed on the top 20 in the country. When I left in 2017, Restaurant Mosaic was on the top 2 in the country.
From the start Restaurant Mosaic had a great wine cellar. However, with my knowledge and experience, I was able to put a selection of wines together which made this establishment's wine cellar to be one of the best in the world.
In 2018, Restaurant Mosaic was selected as the top best wine cellar in the world by the Wine Spectator Magazine.
I trained Moses Magwaza to a level that he received the award for the best wine service in the country by
Eat Out Magazine, twice!
At Restaurant Mosaic, I did an Oyster Tasting as well as a Pepper Corn Tasting.
During my five years at Restaurant Mosaic, we managed to have world class tastings such as:
31 different vintages of Chateau Mouton Rothschild (dating as far back as 1955)
Romanee Conti's entire 2009 range with Mr. De Villaine (owner)
8 different vintages of Chateau Margaux commented by Paul Pontarllier, three months before his death.
Top 100 points wines from Parker.
2009
Romanee Conti tasting at Restaurant Mosaic
All the wines produced by Mr. De Villaine were presented
2013
Mouton Rothschild tasting at Restaurant Mosaic
(the oldest vintage dating back 1955)
I awarded 100 points to the 1982 vintage
An article about
Germain Lehodey at Restaurant Mosaic
2016
A tasting consisting of
7 different vintages of
Vin de Constance at
Klein Constantia,
Cape Town
2012-2013 FAIRLAWNS
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
I was the Restaurant Manager of the Fairlawns Botique Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.
I reintroduced the silver service and flambees to this restaurant.
(My position here was an interim job until I could find something to better suit my experience and knowledge.)
2011-2012 JUBA GRAND HOTEL, SOUTH SUDAN
As a Hotelier, I enjoyed the challenges that the Juba Grand Hotel had until safety became a growing concern and ultimately forced me out of the country.
The hotel had 80 bedrooms which all had to be renovated, plus we had 20 rooms and two suites.
Throughout my time at Juba Grand Hotel, there were at least 3 rooms at any given time that were close for renovation. Even with this continuous set-back, I still managed to have a solid 86% occupancy.
I was able to make an agreement with the United Nations to provide to their army of 100 soldiers with outside catering for three months which consisted of a 3 course meal daily.
Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of African Union Council and former South African president, stayed at Juba Grand Hotel at least once a month as Juba Grand Hotel was considered to be safest establishment in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
2010-2011 SANI PASS HOTEL
At the Sani Pass Hotel in the Drakensburg of Kwa Zulu Natal, I was contracted as a Consultant General Manager.
This was a very challenging experience for me as there was no money was available to fix even the basics, however, over the Christmas period, I was able to achieve 90% occupancy.
During my time at Sani Pass Hotel, I managed to keep the Sani Pass Marathon to be a great success. I even brought the golf course back to its full glory.
2011
A lovely letter of Sani Pass Hotel experience which I managed to provide after only few weeks from taking over the management of the hotel
2009-2010 AQUILA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
I was the General Manager of Aquila Private Game Reserve.
During the 2010 Soccer World Cup, we served 600 people per day with a lunch and a private game drive.
2010
Appreciation letter, Aquila Private Game Reserve
2009 CLANWILLIAM LODGE
As General Manager of the Clanwilliam Lodge in the Western Cape, I was able to have the lodge listed in the
Eat Out Magazine.
I did a presentation for the national television on Rooibos as the town, Clanwilliam, is known worldwide as the ‘Rooibos Capital’. Clanwilliam Lodge's Spa included different massage treatments using Rooibos.
I even created dishes like pasta cooked in Rooibos tea, having Rooibos salt (salt infused in Rooibos tea) and lamb served with mixed herbs which also included Rooibos.
2008-2009 VILLAGE BISTRO
My first restaurant where I was not only the owner of this wonderful place, but the chef too where the style of food was chef Franco/German.
Victor Strugo, one of the best food critics in South Africa, wrote in an article in the Saturday Star that Village Bistro was by far the best value for money restaurant in Gauteng!
2009
A lovely article about Village Bistro restaurant
2003-2008 LYNTON HALL
As General Manger of Lynton Hall on the South Coast of Kwa Zulu Natal had a challenging opening by means of finding the correct suppliers of food and beverages in the small town of Pennington. During my 5 years with Lynton Hall, we were ranked in the top 10 restaurants in South Africa for 4 consecutive years. In 2006, Lynton Halls chef, the infamous Richard Carsten, received the award for South Africa's chef of the year. AA Travel Magazine gave Lynton Hall the Hall of Fame Award for the best Country Estate in South Africa for 4 consecutive years.
Lynton Hall's wine list also received the Platinum Award each year.
I created the first ever salt tasting in South Africa and only the third in the world which received phenomenal media coverage. It is because of tastings like this that gave me the opportunity to do presentations in Johannesburg,
Cape Town, Pretoria and Paris (France). Because of the success of my salt tasting, I did a soya sauce tasting as well.
I also did a Champagne weekend which included the best "Méthode Cap Classique" (MCC which South Africa's sparkling wine), entry level of Champagne the Saturday morning and different prestigious Cuvée from leading champagne houses the Saturday evening. I had help from Giles Josso, a sommelier in Paris, who was the best seller of Champagne in Paris at that time. Over 3 cases of prestige cuvees a day.
I also created a special Mother’s Day function where the cost of the lunch included a 10 minute helicopter ride. Several people still spoke about the Mother's Day function for years after.
Beautiful castle on the
South Coast of KZN.
Lynton Hall was selected as the reference on a stamp to represent the Indian community.
2006
Salt tasting
One of my greatest achievements to date
An example of VIP celebrity who come to Lynton Hall which was rated as one of the top 10 best restaurants in South Africa.
2008
Letter of reference from the owner of Lynton Hall
2001-2003 THE PALACE OF THE LOST CITY, SUN CITY
Sommelier/ Restaurant Manager at the leading restaurant in Sun City, Villa de Palazzo. During my time here,
I was in charge of all the banqueting wine lists in the resort.
In 2002, Village de Palazzo's wine list received a platinum award from Diners Club.
2001
I was employed at the Palace of Lost Cities in Sun City after leaving the The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town.
Two of the best Sun International hotels.
1998-2001 LE PROVENCAL
I was the restaurant manager and marketing manager for Grande Provence wines in Franschoek, Western Cape.
With the help of the infamous Richard Carstens, we managed to put the restaurant on the top 10 in South Africa in 2000. In that year I created South Africa's first National Cheese Festival in the cellar of the Grande Provence Estate. Over 5,000 people attended. The media coverage for the National Cheese Festival included national television, Radio, and at least 50 articles in local newspapers and magazines.
2000
Le Provencal, Franschoek
My friend Achim von Arnim enjoying cheese and wines
2000
Le Provencal
National Cheese Festival
2000
The National Cheese Festival made the front page of the Wine Magazine
2000
An article and official invitation for the National Cheese Festival
1997-1998 TABLE BAY HOTEL
I was the Restaurant Manager of Atlantic Grill at The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. By being a part of the opening team, I was able to learn so much on how to open an establishment. I did several top end wine tastings including a private tasting for Michael Schumacher. I even had the opportunity to serve Michael Jackson as well.
It was here where I created the Sommelier Association of South Africa.
1998
Creating of the first Sommelier Association in South Africa. I am proud to say that I was the first sommelier in South Africa.
1992-1997 INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SCHOOL at
WITS TECHNIKON
I was a lecturer of the International Hotel School at the Witwatersrand Technikon in Johannesburg doing lectures on all beverages and practical restaurant services.
During this time, I managed to graduate 3 students as Cape Wine Masters.
In 1995, I created South Africa's first mineral water tasting, then an olive oil tasting followed by a vinegar tasting.
The mineral water tasting was so successful that I had 14 articles published in, amongst others, the Saturday Star, the Sunday Time and the Longevity magazine. The success of my mineral water tasting resulted in the television program, Carte Blanche, doing an insert on the matter. It was a very controversial tasting as the tap in water, back in 1995 that is, did better than the best-selling bottled water in South Africa, hence Carte Blanche's interest.
I created a wine tour to France for 18 students in 1997. We visited several leading wine/spirit companies which is guaranteed an experience that every student will remember forever as the students were able taste and experience Louis XIII at Remy Martin, Grande Dame at Veuve Clicquot, the open bar at Marie Brizard in Bordeaux, and an unforgettable lunch at Chateau Talbot, just to name few!
1991-1992 LES MAQUIS
I was the manager of the Les Marquis restaurant. The restaurant was in the top 10 in South Africa and received an American Express award.
Herold Fridjhon, the father of Michael Fridjhon, wrote in The Business Day that I made the best steak tartare in South Africa. For several weeks following the article, the sale of this dish was by far the best selling in the restaurant.
1989-1991 MALUNDI WHOLESALERS
I was the Managing Director of Malundi Wholesalers. We distributed wines from different producers including
Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Robertson Cooperative, Jacobsdal Cooperative, David Taylor (imported wines), Montagu wines, to name just a few.
1988-1998 GALLERIA BOTTLE STORE
I was the manager and shareholder of Galleria Bottle Store
During my time at Galleria, I organised the biggest Bordeaux wine tasting in South Africa.
1989
The official invitation to the best ever Bordeaux tasting in South Africa
1989
Letter of appreciation for Germain’s presentation
1989
A wonderful letter from Michael Fridjhon
1989
List of the special guests who attended the function
1986-1988 BENNY GOLDBERG
This was my first position as a Sommelier and a first in South Africa. I was in charge of purchasing all imported wines. Benny Goldberg was the biggest bottle store in the world with 35 tills and wines such as Lanson (Champagne), Bouchard Pere et Fils (Burgundy), Alexis Lichine (Bordeaux), Trimbach (Alsace), Deinhard (Germany), and Gaya (Italy) were imported by container loads. Every imported wine available in South Africa was available on the floor.
1983-1986 ARCADIA HOTEL
As sommelier did not existed in South Africa at the time, I became restaurant manager of the Wheel restaurant as well as the bottle store (off sales) manager. I created a cellar of 10 000 bottles and I imported few great wines like Gosset Champagne, Louis Trapet Burgundy, Berthaut , Fixin Chateau des Tours , Brouilly. I also created the first Pretoria wine show, the first wine list competition with my friend Eric Bolsman. I had with Pretoria News a wine club which had a monthly function with top winemakers.
Few names who took part were: John Platter ( Delaire farm) Armin Von Arnim ( Boschendal/ Pierre Jourdan) Danie De Wet ( De Wetshoff), Peter Finlayson ( Hamilton Russel), Frans Malan (Simonsig) Dave Hughes ( Nederburg pre-auction tasting), Etienne Le Riche ( Rustenburg), Steven Smit ( Koopmanskloof, Du Toit ( Groot Constantia), Wynand Retief ( Van Loveren), Walter Finlayson ( Blaauwklippen, Braam Van Velden ( Orvergaauw) and many more.
I created with Daniel Leusch from La Madeleine restaurant 5 different food,wine and music evenings.
Germain in the best wine cellar in South Africa in 1984. 10 000 bottles.
Every month I have a V.I.P. from the Cape to conduct a tasting at Arcadia Hotel or Vleissentraal .
Here is Walker Finlayson from Blaauwklippen.
One of the functions where food, wine and music were link together.
My business card at Arcadia Hotel. Peter Devereux used to joke about my title. 1984
1981-1983 LE RICHMOND HOTEL, GENEVA
I was in charge of developing a world-class wine list for Le Richmond Hotel.
I also created the Swiss Sommelier Association in 1983 and I participated at the World Sommelier Competition in Bruxelles where I finished in the semi-Final.
1993
An article published in France in about my activities in South Africa
Mineral Water Tasting.
Menu served at Veuve Clicquot in honour of Germain Lehodey
1991
A great Vintage Wine Auction
14,500 bottles were sold at this auction
With my vintage chard which was used by Ken Forrester at Gatriles restaurant in Sandton.
1986
Top wine-team at the time with Rowena Bregman
1987
A letter from Benny Goldberg to renew my
employment contract
Promotion for Le Richemond (outside catering company)
1982
Le Richemond Hotel
where I was the first accredited sommelier in Switzerland
A sommelier's most important tools
An invitation to attend a tasting at Clos Vougeot, Burgundy
1984
A letter mentioning my activities after Le Richemond Hotel
1982
This picture was taken at
Le Richemond Cellar
1981
With Victor Armleder,
the son of the owner of
Le Richemond Hotel, Geneva
1982
View of the restaurant
Le Gentil Homme
1 star Michelin restaurant
Promotion for Le Richemond (outside catering company)
1977-1981 TOUR D AGENT
I started as commis sommelier up the last 2 years I was the head sommelier. I was the youngest head sommelier in France at the time. I was in charge of a cellar of over 300 000 bottles and a team of 9 sommeliers.
During the 5 years I had the honour to serve so many world personalities like:
Salvador Dali (maybe 50 times), Henri Kissinger (secretary of state U.S.A.) The wife of the Sha of Iran, Elton John, Billy Jo, The King of Jordan (twice), I also did the launch of the Le Gout du Vin book (Professor Peynaud), Presilla Presley and daughter, Paul Bocusse’s mother (twice), Mick Jager, Bernard de Nonancourt, (Laurent Perrier Champagne) many times. Hiro Hito (Emperor of Japan), Mobuto Seseko (Zaire President) 5 times, Madame Pompidou (several times). The restaurant served world famous people daily. I mentioned here only few.
I created with Louis Orizet a new wine tasting sheet based on 50 points.
I participated for 3 years at the Tastevinage at Clos Vougeot. One of the greatest experiences to a sommelier.
1978
Cognac tasting at Remy Martin (a phenominal experience with Mr. Lehote, master blender)
1981
First ever wine tasting sheet Score marks of 20 points Today, most score sheets are based on a 100 point system
1980
I made the cover of a magazine through an article about Beaujolais wines
A 6-page article on how
Tour D Argent cellar's
management worked
1984
A job offer from
Tour D Argent for a
new job in Toko, Japan which I declined
1979
Tour D argent
decanting wine at the table
1977
A picture of myself at
Tour D argent
1982
A letter of reference from Tour D Argent
1983
Lunch served at the Tastevinage Clos Vougeot
1975-1976 FRENCH ARMY
I was a paratrooper based in Toulouse, France. I was also a radio operator where morse code was the norm for communication. I left the French army with the position of Sergeant.
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