Yearly Archives: 2011

Blog: Don’t miss Gerard Basset’s tutorial on Champagne

By Linda AFWS | Published: December 15, 2011

Academy director Gerard Basset MS, MW, OBE, and the current holder of the title World’s Best Sommelier, explains the basics of storing, opening and pouring champagne as well as looking at the different styles and when they should be drunk.

Linda AFWS | December 15, 2011

Blog: AFWS’ Licence to Work series gains momentum

By Linda AFWS | Published: December 2, 2011

The Academy’s new series of training programmes – Licence to Work – is now well underway, with a successful Licence to Work in Wine Service held this week at the Moat House Hotel near Stafford, owned by BII councillor Chris Lewis. Twenty candidates all passed the course, which having been approved by the BII Awarding Body gives them their NVQ Level 1. This was the first Licence to Work course … Read more…

Linda AFWS | December 2, 2011

Blog: Academy and BII host wine tasting at Chinese Embassy

By Linda AFWS | Published: November 30, 2011

On Friday 11 November the BII and the Academy of Food and Wine Service were invited by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to host a wine tasting event at the Embassy in London for a delegation of top officials. The event was hosted by Neil Robertson, BII Chief Executive, and Nick Scade, Chairman of the Academy of Food and Wine Service, and was designed to offer an … Read more…

Linda AFWS | November 30, 2011

Training: Help us discover what skills the industry really wants from their food and beverage service staff

By Sophie AFWS | Published: November 21, 2011

As you may be aware the Academy is always looking for ways in which we can help industry equip their staff with the tools to ensure their customers receive an enhanced dining experience. For example about 18 months ago we were asked to look at creating some entry level training courses which would equip food and beverage service staff with the skills which industry wanted from a junior staff member. … Read more…

Sophie AFWS | November 21, 2011

Jobs: Feathered Nest Inn, Cotswolds – Sous Chef

By Helen AFWS | Published: October 27, 2011

The Feathered Nest Inn is a 2 AA rosette 5 star Pub, restaurant & Inn nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, 20 minutes from Oxford. Opened in June 2010, the FN has already gained Best Pub in England AA award 2011 and been voted the best restaurant in Oxfordhire 2011 Miele Awards.

Helen AFWS | October 27, 2011

Jobs: Feathered Nest Inn, Cotswolds – Junior Sommelier/Head Waiter or Waitress

By Helen AFWS | Published: October 27, 2011

Helen AFWS |

News: Gerard Basset appointed OBE

By Linda AFWS | Published: October 25, 2011

Sommelier and hotelier Gerard Basset MS, MW, the Academy’s technical director and owner of the highly successful Hotel TerraVina in Hampshire, attended an investiture at Windsor Castle last Thursday [20 October] to be appointed OBE by Princess Anne, The Princess Royal. Gerard, who last year added to his long list of award and competition successes by becoming the World’s Best Sommelier, was appointed OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List … Read more…

Linda AFWS | October 25, 2011

News: Academy announces winners of Annual Awards 2011

By Linda AFWS | Published: October 19, 2011

Ashley Shaw, 32, house manager at London’s Westbury Hotel, Mayfair, has been announced as the winner of the Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS) Dalmore Award for Excellence 2011. The award, sponsored by Whyte & Mackay, was presented yesterday [18 October] at the Academy Annual Awards 2011 held at London’s Butcher’s Hall. The Dalmore Award is given to an outstanding personality in the UK hotel and catering industry. Presenting … Read more…

Linda AFWS | October 19, 2011

Blog: De Vere apprentice gains manager position

By Linda AFWS | Published: October 12, 2011

De Vere is one of the first hotel companies to join the Academy of Food and Wine Service’s Academy Centre of Excellence scheme. The group’s De Vere Academy of Hospitality has gained recognition as an ACE training centre, meaning that it has achieved a high standard of excellence for its front-of-house training. The training is already showing dividends, with the group’s star apprentice James Clark, 19, (pictured left) becoming a … Read more…

Linda AFWS | October 12, 2011

Blog: sommelier Anja Gottwald’s visit to Portugal with Ramos Pintos

By Linda AFWS | Published: October 5, 2011

Anja Gottwald, Ramos Pintos Award, 2010. Click on the link to read sommelier Anja Gottwald’s diary of her fabulous visit to Portugal as her prize for winning the 2010 Ramos Pintos Award, part of the Academy of Food and Wine Service’s Awards for Excellence.

Linda AFWS | October 5, 2011