International Wine & Food Society - Durban

F&W

IWFS - DURBAN BRANCH

Durban Beachfront

COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN: Katherine Reardon

TREASURER: Gordon Phipson

EVENTS COORDINATOR: Vacant

SECRETARY: Herman Oosthuizen

CELLAR MASTER: Vacant

HISTORY

In 1973 Claude Mornay, the Secretary of IWFS in London, encouraged Harry Boulter, an executive of Shell, to found a new branch in Durban. The inaugural meeting was held in early April of that year and the Branch Charter was issued on 8 May 1973 with Harry Boulter as the founding Chairman, followed soon by Bob Trevethan.

Toward the spring of 1973, Norman Pooke, a retired hotelier and gourmet, took over the reigns of the fledgling Branch and worked tirelesssly over the next 10 years to firmly establish the society on the culinary landscape in Durban. In 1977, Christina Martin became Functions Organiser and distinguished herself as a formidable driving force to implement and compliment Norman Pooke`s vision for the Society in Durban. Several innovations were implemented, most notably the launch of the President`s Shield which is a floating trophy to be awarded annually for the most outstanding meal served to the Branch, based on scores by members. Saltori`s was the first restaurant to receive this prestigious award in 1973.

In 1983, John Fannin, a prominent local radiologist, was elected Chairman. He was instrumental in the establishment of a Cellar for the Society and assisted in stocking it initially whilst Ian Hoyer, the first Cellar Master and Brian Agar, who succeeded John Fannin as Chairman, ensured it expanded into a considerable asset. Doug Bradshaw and Mike White, who both posses extraordinary wine knowledge, contributed greatly to keeping the Cellar stocked with fine wine.

The longest serving Chairman, Tony Pookes, headed the Branch from 1985 to 2000. In 1995 he was awarded the `Andre Simon Bronze Medal` for services rendered to the International Wine and Food Society.

Under the capable leadership provided since it`s inception, the Durban Branch of the International Wine and Food Society often stood at the forefront of innovation and, in fact, pioneered many features which were later copied by other branches worldwide. These achievements, in the words of Tony Pooke "...were seldom the inspiration of a single individual but bore testimony to much hard work and commitment from successive committees".

AWARDS

The Durban branch of the IWFS awards the President`s
Shield every alternate year for Fine Dining, and every
other year our Plate award is made for Fun Dining.

Past award winners

2008-2009 - Fun Dining. Mundo Vida, Chefs Duke Garratty & Don Wilkinson

2007-2008 - Fine dining. Le Petit Normandie, Chef Madame Yvonne Cousson (posthumously)

2006-2007 - Fun Dining. Aubergine, Chef Chris Black

2005-2006 - Fine Dining. Lynton Hall, Chef Richard Carstens

2004-2005 - Fun Dining. Café 1999, Chef Marcelle Labuschagne

2003-2004 - Fine Dining. Ninth Avenue Bistro, Chef Carly Concalves

2002-2003 - Fine Dining. Harveys (Goble Rd), Chef Andrew Draper

2001-2002 - Fun Dining. Aubergine, Chef Chris Black

2000-2001 - Fine Dining. Harveys (Goble Rd), Chef Andrew Draper

For a complete list of past winners, click here...