Sommelier Moses Magwaza from the award-winning Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient recently received the Eat Out Wine Service Award for the second consecutive year.
He tells us what first sparked his interest in wine, and what he loves about his job.
As a black child growing up in a KwaZulu-Natal community I didn't know anything about wine. I started working at Restaurant Mosaic as a gardener and progressed to waiter. And then I was introduced to the wonderful world of wine and the bug bit.
My Mosaic family has encouraged me and I've passed several courses and am completing my Level 3 at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
A sommelier's role is about hard work with long hours and, no, I don't sit around tasting wine all day, although we do get to taste a lot of wine! We aim to take our guests on a journey of food and wine that is memorable.
We attend numerous wine-tastings annually and our recommendations will influence the purchasing philosophy of the restaurant. We also spend a lot of time visiting local and international wine estates, to experience the making of the wines first-hand.
Mosaic's chef Chantel [Dartnall] is one of the most inspirational people I've ever met and with every new seasonal menu she motivates me.
Am I a red- or white-wine man? It all depends on my mood or what I am eating - I enjoy both. I can name the best wine I've ever tasted - the Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Lur Saluces 2007, the best sweet wine I tasted in Bordeaux, France.
What winning means to me? It's wonderful to be acknowledged for what I do and I'm incredibly grateful. It makes me want to achieve even more. Wine has literally changed my life...