Category Archives: News Releases

Stephen Raducki, 28, head sommelier at the Hotel du Vin Winchester, has been awarded the Moët UK Young Sommelier of the Year Award 2012, presented by the Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS). Stephen was presented with the award, along with a magnum of Moët & Chandon Impérial, at the Hotel du Vin Winchester […]

Peter McAlister, restaurant manager at the Culloden Estate & Spa in Belfast, has won the prestigious 2012 UK Restaurant Manager of the Year competition following the final yesterday at the Westbury Mayfair hotel, London. The runner-up, announced at an Awards Dinner sponsored by Champagne Lanson and Boutinot Wines, was Paul Taylor, general manager of TGI […]

Sophie Roberts-Brown, executive director of the Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS), has been appointed as operations director of the Hospitality Guild.  The Guild unites 23 of the leading hospitality associations to provide ‘one voice’ dedicated to the development of the highest professional standards in hospitality.  The AFWS is a founder partner of the […]

Brasserie Blanc and TGI Friday’s  emerged as the winners of two new Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) awards designed to highlight and reward establishments achieving excellence in service. At the Academy’s Annual Awards, held yesterday in London’s Vintners’ Hall, Paul Taylor, general manager of TGI Friday’s, Luton, was given the first of a […]

The Academy of Food & Wine Service is now taking bookings for its UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2012 Gala Dinner, being held at The Westbury, London, on 22 October. Members of the industry are invited to attend the dinner, where the winner of this year’s UK Restaurant Manager of the Year competition, sponsored […]

Following an extremely tough semi-final testing a range of practical and management skills, four restaurant managers are through to the final of the 2012 UK Restaurant Manager of the Year competition. They are: Tobias Barfoot, restaurant manager, The Ambrette Restaurant, Margate Clement Joseph, restaurant manager, RAC, London Peter McAlister, Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast Paul […]

The Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) has today pledged its support for vocational qualifications for 16-year olds, following this week’s media reports of criticism of some of the more practical exam subjects on offer. “Not all children are naturally academic,” commented AFWS executive director Sophie Roberts-Brown. “The education system must continue to offer […]