THE GLASS IS ALWAYS HALF FULL

Winner of the 2018 Eat Out John Psillos Award for Outstanding Contribution to Service, sommelier Germain Lehodey has created a legacy for superior hospitality

Germain Lehodey is the winner of the 2018 Eat Out John Psillos Award for Outstanding Contribution to Service. Until recently the head sommelier at Restaurant Mosaic (see page 133), Germain has a restaurant pedigree that goes back many decades. Having begun his career at the legendary La Tour d'Argent in Paris, he has since worked as general manager and maître d'hôtel at lodges and hotels around South Africa.

Not restricting his talents to restaurant service only, Germain was also founder of the National Cheese Festival in SA. And it was under Germain’s tutelage that our 2017 and 2018 Eat Out Wine Service Award winner, Moses Magwaza (see above), blossomed.

Says one of our anonymous judges: "Germain was instrumental in getting the whole sommelier movement off the ground in this country, raising the level of service."

Germain has made a lasting impact in the industry, and it's clear why: his only goal is guest satisfaction: "I am delighted when my guests leave the restaurant happy and wanting to return."

"HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THE WHOLE SOMMELIER MOVEMENT OFF THE GROUND IN THIS COUNTRY"