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.

Sommelier Of The Year 2012

NRD Dinner – a massive success!

This year’s NRD dinner was a huge success – thank you to everyone who attended and worked so hard behind the scenes to make it work. We raised a massive £60,000. Eat Out wrote a great piece about it – which you can read by clicking here. You can also view pics from the event – and behind the scenes on our gallery page here.          

Dedicated website for UK Sommelier of the Year competition

The Academy of Food and Wine Service has launched a new website for its popular UK Sommelier of the Year competition. Anyone interested in the competition can find details about how it is run, past winners, sponsors, media partners, judges and how to enter as well as the latest update on entries received and the progress of the competition. Entries are now open for the UK Sommelier of the Year … Read more…

Moët UK Sommelier of the Year: finalists announced

The names of the 12 sommeliers who have made it through to the final of this year’s Moët UK Sommelier of the Year competition, organised by the Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS), have been announced as: Loic Avril, The Fat Duck, Bray Arnaud Bardary, Maze Gordon Ramsay, London W1 Tobias Brauweiler, Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham Remi Cousin, The Fat Duck, Bray Sergio Dos Santos, Atlantic Hotel, Jersey Bavand Foroughi, … Read more…

JOB: Victorian Inn, Salcombe, Sous Chef

Sous Chef. Permanent position for an enthusiastic chef in our award winning public house set in the heart of Salcombe near the water’s edge. We are looking for someone with some experience who is not afraid of hard work, and can work in a small team. This is a permanent position and we actively support training and development.  We offer a great salary for the right person! Contact Victoria Inn, … Read more…

JOBS: Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire

We are looking for a Commis Waiter / Waitress to join the Restaurant team at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. This is an excellent opportunity to learn and develop knowledge in food and wine service. The role involves mise en place, breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and dinner service within all sections of the restaurant and lounges including the cafeterie. Our people have a unique passion for delivering excellence to the highest … Read more…

Academy appoints new events and membership manager

The Academy of Food & Wine Service has appointed Sarah Peters as its new Events and Membership Manager to run its extensive programme of events and competitions including Sommelier of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year and the Academy Annual Awards. Sarah has a strong background in events management both in-house for hotels and establishments such as Simpsons-in-the-Strand, as well as for organisations such as the Energy Industries Council … Read more…

JOBS: HEAD SOMMELIER – THE BUTLERS WHARF CHOP HOUSE

Head Sommelier – The Butlers Wharf Chop House Set in a stunning location right on the river, Butlers Wharf Chop House serves up hearty British food in very British and charming surroundings The Role We are currently recruiting for a passionate Head Sommelier to join our successful team. You will have a good command of English and great communication skills, have a pro-active and motivated attitude, attention to detail and … Read more…

DEADLINE FOR UK SOY ENTRIES NOW 10TH APRIL

You now have until next Tuesday 10th April to enter this year’s Moet UK Sommelier of the Year competition. You can download an entry form from this website – hurry and get your entries in now.

Moet & Chandon to sponsor UK Sommelier of the Year

The Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) is delighted to announce that premier Champagne house Moët & Chandon has signed a three-year sponsorship of its prestigious UK Sommelier of the Year competition. “The UK Sommelier of the Year is a great fit with Moët & Chandon and we are very much looking forward to working with them as our new sponsor. Moët is one of the best-known and most … Read more…

Job: SEASONAL WORK OPPORTUNITY – South of England – chefs, sous chefs, waiters, waitresses, kitchen porters

Bread and Flowers – www.breadandflowers.co.uk  need bright, well presented, enthusiastic chefs, sous chefs, waiters, waitresses, kitchen porters with experience and drive to join their existing, outstanding team.

Jobs: South of England – SUMMER WORK OPPORTUNITY – chefs, sous chefs, waiters, waitresses, kitchen porters required

Bread and Flowers is a catering company based in Salisbury specialising in Southern European & Middle Eastern food.  We work all over the South of England, from London to Cornwall and cater for any event from intimate dinner parties to wild, extravagant bashes, including, weddings, significant birthdays, christenings, corporate launches, literary festivals, shoot lunches, Christmas parties and any number of bacchanalia.