The Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS), established in 1988, is the professional body for front-of-house service. It is dedicated to improving the status and awareness of food and beverage service as a viable career choice, raising standards across the industry and encouraging teamwork with other colleagues. AFWS can offer advice and training to anyone following, or considering, a career as a sommelier, wine waiter, waiter, bar manager or restaurant manager.

About The Academy
Sommelier Of The Year 2013
Academy Of Food and Wine Service

Congratulations to sommelier Eric Zwiebel…

By Linda AFWS | Published: April 3, 2013

The Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) would like to offer its congratulations to Eric Zwiebel, sommelier at Summer Lodge, Dorset, who came an impressive 4th in the Association de la Sommelerie International (ASI) Best Sommelier of the World competition in Tokyo last week. There was tough competition, and Eric narrowly missed a place in the final three, but made it through to the final 12 sommeliers out of … Read more…

Linda AFWS | April 3, 2013

MOËT UK SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR 2013 SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

By Linda AFWS | Published: March 26, 2013

The names of the sommeliers through to the semi-finals of this year’s Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013 have been announced today by the Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS). This follows yesterday’s [25 March] regional finals held simultaneously in Bristol, London, Manchester, Tunbridge Wells and Edinburgh. This year there were a record number of entries, with 89 making it through to the regional finals.

Linda AFWS | March 26, 2013

Head Sommelier, Assistant Sommelier, Cocktail Bartender and Hostess wanted for new Shaun Rankin Restaurant

By Sarah AFWS | Published: March 8, 2013

  Shaun Rankin is offering a very exciting opportunity in the opening of a brand new top quality Restaurant & Bar with real potential to develop your career for a growing brand. Ormer Restaurant by Shaun Rankin is currently recruiting for the following prestigious positions in Jersey, Channel Islands: Head Sommelier: The applicant must have a real passion and pride for the wine industry with excellent beverage knowledge and flawless … Read more…

Sarah AFWS | March 8, 2013

Government plans for new code of practice for pub companies

By Daniel AFWS | Published: April 23, 2013

In response to the Government consultation document plans for new code of practice for pub companies. Tim Hulme, BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) chief executive. “Anything that helps stop unfair practice is good.” “While the voluntary code was beginning to produce clear results, if there is to be a statuary code, the what we need is smart legislation that does not hinder our members’ from running their businesses nor adversely impact pub-owning companies that … Read more…

Daniel AFWS | April 23, 2013

The British Hospitality & Tourism Summit 2013

By Daniel AFWS | Published: March 21, 2013

The British Hospitality & Tourism Summit 2013 Tuesday 11 June, 2013 InterContinental London Park Lane Registration is now open for the British Hospitality & Tourism Summit taking place 11 June 2013 at the InterContinental Park Lane, London. The 2012 event set the scene for the beginning of a united hospitality industry, the journey started towards greater recognition and growth. A selection of confirmed speakers for 2013 include: Debbie White, CEO … Read more…

Daniel AFWS | March 21, 2013

Gerard Basset named Decanter’s Man of the Year 2013

By Linda AFWS | Published: March 8, 2013

The Academy of Food & Wine Service would like to send their congratulations to AFWS technical director Gerard Basset OBE, MW, MS, for being named Decanter’s Man of the Year 2013. Gerard, holder of the world’s best sommelier title and owner of hotel TerraVina in Hampshire, was praised for transforming the perception of sommeliers around the world and for being ‘an absolute gem of a man’. Gerard Basset is chief … Read more…

Linda AFWS | March 8, 2013

Galvin Cup seeks best of UK’s bar industry

By Linda AFWS | Published: March 8, 2013

The 7th annual Galvin Cup competition, sponsored by Babi?ka vodka, will take place on the 13 May at the London Bvlgari hotel. The event will bring together the cream of the UK’s bar industry and showcase future industry stars. As in previous years we expect the organisers expect it to be a tough competition. The Galvin Cup provides the perfect platform to not only learn from the very best but … Read more…

Linda AFWS |

ACADEMY OF CULINARY ARTS SEEKS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY’S TOP TALENT

By Daniel AFWS | Published: February 22, 2013

Press Release: Monday 11th February 2013 ACADEMY OF CULINARY ARTS SEEKS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY’S TOP TALENT February 2013 sees the launch of the seventh Master of Culinary Arts (MCA) – the UK hospitality industry’s most prestigious award for head chefs, pastry chefs and restaurant managers.  A host of figureheads and luminaries from within the industry, including Michel Roux OBE MOF, Albert Roux OBE, Brian Turner CBE, Benoit Blin MCA, Silvano Giraldin, … Read more…

Daniel AFWS | February 22, 2013

The Gold Service Scholarship winner is…Rebecca Dibben!

By Daniel AFWS | Published: February 20, 2013

Rebecca Dibben, a 22 year old Restaurant Supervisor at Deseo Mediterranean Restaurant, Gleneagles Hotel, has won the inaugural Gold Service Scholarship. She beat five other finalists who competed at a special lunch service held at London’s Westminster Kingsway College on Monday 11th February 2013. Following regional finals in Birmingham and London the six finalists each served a three-course lunch with wines for an invited table of four while the judges … Read more…

Daniel AFWS | February 20, 2013

Academy launches Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013

By Linda AFWS | Published: January 7, 2013

The Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) has this week launched the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013, one of the most sought-after titles in the UK’s front-of-house beverage service profession. Entries are encouraged from sommeliers and wine waiters from across the hospitality sector including high street restaurants, pubs, hotels, as well as fine dining establishments. “The competition has really broadened in appeal over the past few years,” … Read more…

Linda AFWS | January 7, 2013