Latest News from Core Catering

In an agreement between South African Tourism (SAT), German tour operator Wikinger Reisen and German-based outdoor gear retailer Globetrotter Ausruestung, shoppers will engage with destination South Africa like never before.

The partnership, running throughout the month of October, will see five Globetrotter stores transformed into a truly encompassing South African experience, complete with full window dress, multi-sensory video shows and authentic South African culinary treats and experiences.

Theresa Bay-Muller, SAT`s country manager in Germany, is confident that the activation will expose the outdoor exhilaration of South Africa to a captive audience. "Globetrotter consumers are already actively pursuing their outdoor and adventure travel dreams," says Bay-Müller. "Our presence in the stores simply puts South Africa front of mind, when shoppers are already looking to purchase clothes, gear and other merchandise for their future trips. The inclusion of tour operator Wikinger Reisen, who specialise in active leisure holidays, affords us the additional opportunity to convert interest into sales; a critical element to ensure that our activation results in increased German arrivals to South Africa.”

"It is a pleasure to be able to conduct such a great promotion with such an appealing destination; South Africa offers everything our products stand for - a fascinating variety of experiences within a beautiful scenery," says Torsten Fischer, director of marketing at Globetrotter Ausruestung.

SAT`s official `Ambassador from the bush`, Ranger Hendrik, who keeps German wildlife and travel enthusiasts on social media platforms entertained with his personal stories of South Africa, will be in Germany throughout the month, engaging with consumers with ranger training, storytelling and drumming sessions.

The activation period is predicted to engage with more than 1,2-million consumers. At the end of the activation month, a winner from Germany will live-out their South African experience with a sponsored trip courtesy of Wikinger Reisen. This trip will be documented on Globetrotters blogging portal and is supported, in the run up to the overall activation, by an extensive media and social network campaign targeting more than 4,2-million consumers.

Bringing together the styles and techniques of some of the leading chefs in Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, Relais & Chateaux, in conjunction with publisher Peter Marshall, has created its first African-inspired cook book.
The recipes embrace the talents of the Relais & Chateaux chefs in this part of the world, including the two who have Grands Chefs status in the global association, Margot Janse of Le Quartier Francais and Peter Tempelhoff of The Collection by Liz McGrath.
The recipes featured encourage the use of the freshest ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. They reflect the enthusiasm and dedication of each chef to combine the textures, flavours, aromas and visual appeal of nature`s produce to create dishes that cooks everywhere can recreate in their kitchens.
Each chef showcases three recipes and a "home dish" - something simple they enjoy cooking at home.
Regional favourites, such as bobotie, are featured along with recipes using local ingredients including Karoo lamb, springbok, gemsbok, kudu, ostrich, crayfish from the West Coast, seafood from the ocean, freshwater fish from Lake Victoria in Tanzania, pineapple from KwaZulu-Natal, vanilla pods from Zanzibar, Kalahari truffles and Rooibos tea.
Annie-Claude Bergonzoli, Relais & Chateaux director for Southern, East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, said: "A great deal of passion has gone into the creation of this cook book, which shows the culinary diversity of our delegation`s unique region as well as the incredible talent shared by the chefs from all the properties."
Publisher Peter Marshall said: "It was a true honour to work on this cook book side by side with Relais & Chateaux and we hope it takes readers on a culinary `Route du Bonheur` through this region to learn more about the spirit and soul of Africa."
The cook book will be available for purchase at each of the member properties or via the Relais & Chateaux website and leading bookstores throughout South Africa.

The winners of the 2011 World Luxury Hotel Awards were announced on Friday, 16 September at a gala dinner at the Regent Esplanade Zagreb Hotel in Croatia.

Hotels are recognised for their commitment to the highest standards of quality service and the awards, founded in 2006, congratulate hotels that had taken extra steps to provide guests with outstanding experiences.

Marinique Truter, manager of the World Luxury Hotel Awards, explains: "Outstanding properties are those that surprise the guest with unexpected experience bonuses, experiences that are more about recognition of the guest other than the thread count.

"Growing numbers of luxury travellers around the world seeking excellent value, impeccable service and the highest quality are now making a point of checking to see who has won a World Luxury Hotel Award before making their own holiday choice. The Ultimate Hotel Guide featuring our award winners has become increasingly popular amongst travel agents and tour operators that utilise it for global reservations."

Truter says over 1000 luxury hotels from 87 countries were nominated to participate in this year`s awards - a 50% increase - and reports an improved voting poll rate. Hotels can be nominated by guests, tour operators and independent travel consultants, and can self-nominate if operating in the luxury niche market. Hotel guests have the opportunity to vote on an annual basis.

2011 World Luxury Hotel Awards global winners, listed by hotel, country and category won:

- Iguazu Grand Resort Spa & Casino, Argentina, Best Luxury Casino Hotel

- Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Argentina, Best Luxury Golf Resort

- Hayman, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Best Luxury Emerging Hotel

- Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Canada, Best Luxury Ski Resort

- King George Palace, Greece, Luxury Hotel - Best Scenic View

- Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Best Luxury Hotel

- The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon, India, Best Luxury Hotel & Conference Centre

- Solis Lough Eske Castle, Ireland, Best Luxury Country Hotel

- Sandals Royal Plantation, Jamaica, Best Luxury Island Resort

- Indigo Pearl Phuket, Thailand, Best Luxury Spa Hotel

- Shompole Kenya, Kenya, Best Luxury Eco Safari Lodge

- Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, Best Luxury Airport Hotel

- Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Best Luxury Business Hotel

- Coco Palm Bodu Hithi, Maldives, Best Luxury Romantic Hotel

- Diva Maldives, Maldives, Best Luxury Beach Resort

- The Royal Hideaway Playacar, Mexico, Best Luxury Coastal Resort

- Azura at Gabriel`s Mozambique, Mozambique, Best Luxury Villa Resort

- Ritz Carlton Hotel Brand, not applicable, Best Luxury Hotel Brand

- Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco, Peru, Best Luxury Suite Hotel

- Cousine Island, Seychelles, Best Private Island Resort

- Sheraton Towers Singapore Hotel, Singapore, Best Luxury City Hotel

- Royal Madikwe, South Africa, Best Luxury Game Lodge

- Morukuru Lodge, South Africa, Best Luxury Bush Lodge

- The Fortress Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka, Best Luxury Coastal Hotel

- Singita Sasakawa Lodge, Tanzania, Best Luxury Lodge

- Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort, Thailand, Best Luxury Mountain Resort

- Rawi Warin Resort & Spa, Thailand, Best Luxury Family Hotel

- Santhiya Resort & Spa, Thailand, Best Luxury Spa Resort Hotel

- Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa Wiltshire, United Kingdom, Best Luxury Country House

- The Carlyle, USA, Best Luxury Boutique Hotel

- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, USA, Best New Luxury Hotel

- Hotel Danieli Venice, Venice, Best Luxury Historical Hotel

This the second consecutive win for Royal Madikwe, the five-star safari residence in the North West Province, which won in the global Luxury Game Lodge category. Royal Madikwe proprietor Chai Patel says: "We are thrilled and honoured to have won this prestigious award for the second year running. This especially means a lot to us because it reflects the recognition of our customers` satisfaction. Our team feels very proud to be recognised in this way and is motivated more than ever to continue providing memorable experiences."

South African country winners and the category of award are:

- Cape Royale Luxury Hotel And Residence, Luxury City Hotel

- Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge, Luxury Game lodge

- Fusion Boutique Hotel, Luxury Suite Hotel

- Hilton Cape Town, Luxury Hotel & Conference Centre

- Kievits Kroon, Luxury Spa Hotel

- Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, Luxury Romantic Hotel

- Mount Grace Country House & Spa, Luxury Boutique Hotel

- Pondoro Game Lodge, Luxury Lodge

- Riverbend Lodge, Luxury Family Hotel

- Robertson Small Hotel, Luxury Country Hotel

- The Oyster Box Hotel, Luxury Hotel

- The Palazzo Montecasino, Luxury Casino Hotel

- The Table Bay Hotel, Luxury Coastal Hotel

- The Westin Cape Town, Luxury Business Hotel

- Fancourt, Luxury Golf Resort

The Robertson Small Hotel won the award for Best Luxury Country Hotel in South Africa for the first time. Delighted GM Riaan Kruger comments: "This is indeed recognition of the world-class facilities and service excellence that The Robertson Small Hotel has attained by achieving the highest international standards in the hospitality industry."

Mike Uphof, GM of Montecasino Hotel Operations, says: "I am proud that the Palazzo Montecasino has once again been announced a winner in the World Luxury Hotel Awards. This award recognises the commitment and dedication that the entire team demonstrate to ensuring our guests have memorable stays and I am proud of the Palazzo team who have once again been recognised for their efforts."

For a full list of global and country winners, plus images and videos from the awards evening, go to www.luxuryhotelawards.com.

Tokyo - The dollar rose in Asian trade on Thursday as market players shunned risks amid disappointment over the Federal Reserve`s new measures to stimulate the flagging US economy.

After several months of selling pressure - partly caused by the Fed`s loose monetary policy - the US currency retraced ground against a number of Asian currencies that have hit record highs in recent months.

The commodities-heavy Australian dollar dipped below parity with the US dollar for only the third time since October, sinking to 99.98 US cents before bouncing back slightly to 100 at 03:30 GMT.

Increased risk-aversion also saw the US unit gain against other Asian currencies that have seen steep rises over the past several months.

It was up at Sg$1.2860 from Sg$1.2629 on Wednesday afternoon in Asia, at 1 178.90 Korean won from 1 149.38 and at Tw$30.23 from Tw$29.88.

Against major currencies the greenback was also slightly higher.

It was up to ¥76.76 in Tokyo midday trade from ¥76.48 in New York late on Wednesday.

The euro paused after hitting a fresh 10-year low against the yen in New York. The single currency was at ¥104.15 in Tokyo, from ¥103.74 in New York where it briefly fell to a new 10-year low of ¥103.64.

The euro bought $1.3561, almost unchanged from New York.

After weeks of anticipation that the Federal Reserve would unveil fresh moves to kickstart the US economy, Wednesday`s announcement failed to instill confidence in currency traders that brighter times were ahead.

The Federal Reserve unveiled a $400bn stimulus plan - dubbed "Operation Twist" - to reduce long-term interest rates by switching from short-term bonds to longer-term bonds.

The move would not involve printing any more money -  meaning no more dollars in the system - but supporters say it could lower rates and prod cash-rich banks to put their idle reserves to work.

The decision "brought disappointment, with the Fed announcing the minimum policy action expected while also warning of significant downside risks to the economic outlook," said National Australia Bank forex strategist John Kyriakopoulos.

"Moody`s cutting the credit ratings of three US banks and the Fed referring to `strains in global financial markets` also weighed heavily on sentiment," he said in a note.

"In response, risk-aversion escalated, which boosted `safe haven` demand for the USD," he said.

The plan also sent stock markets tumbling on Thursday.

The Fed may not be able to take fresh monetary-easing measures considering persistent inflationary pressure, Credit Suisse said in a report.

"It is highly possible that the Fed would have to maintain the status quo at least until the end of the year," pressuring US stock prices, it added.