Permanently residing across four continents (currently living in Austria, Cyprus, Spain, the UAE, Australia and South Africa and previously having lived in more: the USA, Malta, the UK, Mexico, Argentina, Thailand and Bahrain), the Thacks Awards panelists have the fantastic task of spreading thanks to deserving candidates and ultimately winners in the international categories of food, drink and travel. Their credentials include having travelled to many international destinations/attractions, sampling food, drinks and luxuries from across the globe.
They all have day jobs away from the food, drink and travel industry but have vast experience in sampling culinary delights internationally, and are all credible critiques in their own rights – so judging and following their passions in food, drink and travel and sharing them with the public, is a favourite pastime.
1
Full Name:
Anita Wahl
Born in:
Pretoria
Qualifications:
Chartered Secretary (ACIS)
Day Job; Sector:
Product Manager, IT
Home Bases:
Living in Vienna, Cape Town and London
Focus Continents:
Europe, Africa, North America
Favourite Cuisines:
Italian, steak/meat
Favourite Beverage:
Wine (including bubbly!)
Countries Lived In:
England, Austria, South Africa
Countries Visited:
USA, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey, Morocco, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, Vatican City, Netherlands, Switzerland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, Croatia, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Norway, Finland, Canada, Colombia, Denmark
Total Lived + Visited:
42
Uncounted Airport Stopovers:
Portugal, Malaysia, Qatar, UAE
Two-Sentence Bio:
Anita inherited her love of travelling from her father and has been travelling since she was a toddler, thriving on visiting new places (especially ones that she can tell her father about for a change!). Having grown up in a renown wine-making region one hour from Cape Town and with a brother who produces world-class wines, she thoroughly enjoys trying new wine regions and cultivars.
2
Full Name:
John Jason Thackray
Born in:
Robertson
Qualifications:
BCom informatics degree, WSET Level 2 completed
Day Job; Sector:
Service/Marketing Operations Manager, IT/ecommerce
Home Bases:
Living in Valencia, Mossel Bay, Orlando and London
Focus Continents:
North America, Europe, Africa
Favourite Cuisines:
Italian, Thai, Mom’s cooking
Favourite Beverage:
Wine (so much variety!)
Countries Lived In:
USA, England, South Africa, Malta, Spain
Countries Visited:
Mexico, Bahamas, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, France, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, Hungary, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Turkey, Bahrain, Cyprus, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong (China), Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Lesotho, UAE, Argentina, Croatia, Japan, Qatar, Morocco, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechia, Ireland
Total Lived + Visited: 47
Uncounted Airport Stopovers:
Singapore, Ethiopia
Two-Sentence Bio:
From the days of being a self-funded student juggling a full-time and three part-time jobs, John has come a long way to follow his passions including wine travels. Although his Facebook friends often think he’s a millionaire, he’s just good at planning and juggling things to ensure he can enjoy the finer things in life and live it to the full.
3
Full Name:
Craig John Thackray
Born in:
Worcester
Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) CEng CEnv FICE, CMgr FCMI
Day Job; Sector:
Regional Director MEA, Engineering Consultancy
Home Bases:
Living in Abu Dhabi, Mossel Bay and London
Focus Continents:
Asia, Africa, Europe
Favourite Cuisines:
Mexican, Indian, Chinese
Favourite Beverage:
Whiskey, Beer
Countries Lived In:
England, Bahrain, UAE, South Africa
Countries Visited:
Oman, Greece, Japan, USA, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Russia, Italy, Vatican City, Netherlands, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, France, China, India, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Namibia, Qatar, Morocco, Iceland, Switzerland
Total Lived + Visited:
33
Uncounted Airport Stopovers:
Germany
Two-Sentence Bio:
A platinum grade frequent flyer for several years that spends a fair bit of time travelling for work across the Middle East, USA and Africa. Craig really enjoys attending global sporting events such as Rugby and Football World Cups and travelling for surfing – enjoying good cuisine.
4
Full Name:
Mandy Mae Templeton
Born in:
Mossel Bay
Qualifications:
Self proclaimed lover of all wines, except 1…
Day Job; Sector:
Finance
Home Bases:
Living in Sydney and Cape Town
Focus Continents:
Australia, Asia, Africa
Favourite Cuisines:
French, Italian, Japanese
Favourite Beverage:
Wine and Whiskey
Countries Lived In:
Australia, South Africa
Countries Visited:
Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, UAE, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Wales, England, Italy, Cyprus
Total Lived + Visited:
20
Uncounted Airport Stopovers:
Malaysia
Two-Sentence Bio:
After taking the longest time to obtain her degree, the hard work paid off and provided the ticket to emigrate to Australia; opening her world up to travel! Though it was a late start, she combines her love for running to explore wherever she visits – thank heavens too, as this allows her to indulge in her passion for great food and wine…
5
Full Name:
Brent Murphy
Born in:
Cape Town
Qualifications:
B.Pharm
Day Job; Sector:
R&D Pharmacist, Natural Medicines & Dietary Supplements
Home Bases:
Living in Cape Town and Vilanculos
Focus Continents:
Africa, Asia, Europe
Favourite Cuisines:
Asian (Indian and Thai), French
Favourite Beverage:
Coffee, Beer
Countries Lived In:
South Africa, Mozambique
Countries Visited:
Antarctica, Argentina, Bahamas, Botswana, France, Gabon, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Puerto Rico, Jersey, Isle of Man, England, Lesotho, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Portugal, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, USA, Norway, Netherlands, Morocco
Total Lived + Visited:
32
Uncounted Airport Stopovers:
Qatar, Senegal, Cape Verde, Turkey
Two-Sentence Bio:
Travel, theatre and food are what Brent lives for – and his godchildren. If he’s not enjoying a restaurant meal after a musical, you’ll find him in the kitchen experimenting, or modifying a recipe he found on YouTube.
…and 6… our new panelist since 2022…
Full Name:
Georgia Argyropoulos
Born in:
Mossel Bay
Qualifications:
A handful of degrees and a few masters in Psychology
Day Job; Sector:
Mental Healthcare and the Education Sector
Home Bases:
Living in Paphos and Mossel Bay
Focus Continents:
Southern Mediterranean, North Africa
Favourite Cuisines:
Thai, Italian, Greek, Cape Malay
Favourite Beverage:
Champagne
Countries Lived In:
England, South Africa, Cyprus, Zambia
Countries Visited:
France, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Mauritius, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, USA, Belgium, Vatican City, Egypt, Bahrain, Ukraine, Thailand, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Botswana
Total Lived + Visited:
21
Uncounted Airport Stopovers:
Too many to mention
Two-Sentence Bio:
Teacher, DBT practitioner, specialist counsellor, solo trekker, impressionist artist, author and mother, Thacks Awards didn’t think that Georgia had time to squeeze in being a panelist; but she’s insisted and we look forward to her submissions! Her down to earth love of family and friends are superbly balanced by passion for great food and atmosphere.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2024 WINNERS HERE.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2023 WINNERS HERE.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2022 WINNERS HERE.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2021 WINNERS HERE.
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