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, Savoy Grill, London WC2

Lukasz Kolodziejczyk, The Fat Duck, Bray

Jan Konetzki, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London SW3

Kathrine Larsen, Orrery, London W1

Stephen Raducki, Hotel du Vin, Winchester

Laurent Richet, Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham

Clement Robert, Medlar Restaurant, London SW1

This follows a particularly tough round of regional finals held this week in London, Tunbridge Wells, Bristol, and Manchester, where 60 competitors were whittled down to 12 through a series of tasks including a blind tasting, a knowledge questionnaire, a service skills test and a champagne pour.

Said AFWS executive director Sophie Roberts Brown: “This year the Academy’s technical director Gerard Basset and master sommelier Ronan Sayburn set very hard tasks for our regional finalists. But the judging panel were impressed with the high standard and particularly with the 12 that have made it through to the final. With this calibre of finalists it’s certain to be a closely fought and exciting event.”

The competition, now in its 33rd year, is the UK’s most testing and prestigious titles in sommellerie. This year the final will be held as part of the London International Wine Fair at ExCel on 23 May.

As part of their prize the winner will have the opportunity to be immersed in Maison Moët & Chandon. Hosted by Chef de Cave, Benoît Gouez, the winner will experience a unique cellar tasting of the Grand Vintage collection and the opportunity to enjoy the renowned hospitality of the estates of the world’s most loved champagne.

The winner will also qualify for the European Sommelier of the Year competition, organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, which Moët & Chandon has partnered with since 1989.The longevity of this partnership characterises Moët’s attachment to the wine-waiter’s trade and is intended to encourage its development at world level.

(ends)

For further information, please contact:
Linda Pettit, Academy of Food and Wine Service
T. 01737 823721, M. 07973 789853, Linda@tilburstowmedia.co.uk

EDITOR’S NOTES
About the 2012 Academy of Food and Wine Service UK Sommelier of the Year

The competition is open to professional sommeliers and waiting staff working in the UK. Entrants who achieve a 75% pass mark on an initial written questionnaire go through to the regional finals. From the regionals, 12 candidates are then chosen to compete in the national finals in the Waterfront Rooms at the London International Wine Fair on 23 May 2012. Attendance is by invitation only.

The winner will be announced the same day and will be awarded with a trophy and an all-expenses paid trip to South America’s leading organic and biodynamic wine producer, Emiliana. The Emiliana Bursary, in association with Boutinot Wines, will be a five-day tour of Chile’s vineyard regions.

About Moët & Chandon

Moët & Chandon has been the champagne of success and glamour since 1743. Renowned for its achievements, firsts and legendary pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon is the Maison that introduced champagne to the world. Synonymous with the most venerable of traditions and the most modern of pleasures, Moët & Chandon has celebrated life’s most triumphant moments with grandeur for nearly 270 years.

Moët & Chandon Champagnes

Moët & Chandon shares the magic of champagne with the world, offering a range of unique wines for every occasion, mood and palate. From the iconic Moët Impérial to the Grand Vintage Collection, the extroverted Moët Rosé Impérial to the innovative Moët Ice Impérial, each champagne dazzles and delights with bright fruitiness, a seductive palate and an elegant maturity.

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, Salcombe – 01548 842604 – Liz, Tim or Head Chef James

Our people have a unique passion for delivering excellence to the highest standard. We look for people who aspire to learn new skills, are loyal, committed and wish to grow and develop within an inspiring culture. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a driven and passionate team focused on providing a quality experience. Visit www.manoir.com to find out more.

The ideal candidate will:

*  Be able to communicate with colleagues and managers

*  Demonstrate a passion for food and beverage service 

*  Have previous experience in a similar luxury restaurant

*  Be someone who wants to learn and develop

*  Have excellent attention to detail and high standards

 Learning and Development

All employees receive a full training programme when they start including cross training in other departments and the opportunity to grow within the team.

 The benefits of working at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons include:

*  28 holiday days inclusive of bank holidays, additional holiday days depending on length of service and a day off on your birthday

*  Eligibility to join the company Tronc Scheme which is paid monthly

*  A variety of staff discounts available at Relais & Chateaux and Orient Express

*  Staff discounts at Le Manoir and friends and family rates

*  A guest experience after one year of service and every year thereafter

*  Loyalty and recognition awards and special occasion gifts

*  Excellent staff incentive programmes

*  Meals provided on duty

*  Uniform is provided

*  Eligibility to join the contributory company pension scheme after three months service

*  Eligibility to join the childcare voucher scheme

*  Quarterly staff parties and social events

To apply, please contact Joe O’Connor on (+44) 1844 277207 or send your CV to recruitment@blanc.co.uk

In line with requirements of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Documented evidence of eligibility to work will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.

Sarah Peters, 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 and the Theatregoers Club of Great Britain. She has also worked as a journalist, writing about and reviewing hotels and restaurants for various magazines.

“I’m very pleased to be working with the Academy. I was brought up in a hotel – food and wine are a real passion of mine, so this position marries my events background with my interest in the hospitality industry. This is also an exciting time for the Academy with the on-going development of new training courses and initiatives, and a line-up of well established and respected competitions.”

The regional finals of the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year will be held on 30 April 2012, with the grand final on the 23 May at the London International Wine Fair at ExCel London.

You can contact Sarah about attending or entering any of the Academy’s events or about joining the organisation by emailing her at Sarah@afws.co.uk or calling 0208 661 4641.

(ends)

For further information, please contact:
Linda Pettit
Tilburstow Media Partners
T. 01737 823721, M. 07973 789853, Linda@tilburstowmedia.co.uk

Editor’s notes
The Academy of Food & 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 to foster good relations with other industry sectors. The Academy can offer advice and training to anyone following, or considering, a career as a sommelier, wine waiter, waiter, bar manager or restaurant manager.

www.afws.co.uk.

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 a passion for exceeding customer’s expectations in service standards. Our successful Head Sommelier will have previous experience and ideally posses a Sommelier diploma.

In return you will gain experience in this high profile restaurant and have the ability to communicate with fellow professionals and customers. You can also look forward to superb career progression within a quality driven group, D&D London, known for its competitive salaries and excellent on and off the job training.

In return

Our Head Sommelier can look forward to working with a dedicated team of professionals within a company that offers substantial career progression and training. Together with an attractive salary, we offer staff meals and a generous discount within all other D&D London restaurants.

If you are interested in the role, please send your CV and covering letter to

Natalie Tait – nataliet@danddlondon.com

]]> http://www.afws.co.uk/2012/04/deadline-for-uk-soy-entries-now-9th-april/feed/ 0 http://www.afws.co.uk/2012/04/moe%cc%88t-chandon-to-sponsor-uk-sommelier-of-the-year/ http://www.afws.co.uk/2012/04/moe%cc%88t-chandon-to-sponsor-uk-sommelier-of-the-year/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:52:26 +0000 Linda AFWS http://www.afws.co.uk/?p=2883 Read more...]]> 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 prestigious champagne houses so this is great news for the future of the competition,” said AFWS executive director Sophie Roberts-Brown.

Said Moët & Chandon marketing manager Emelie De Vitis: “Since 1989, Moët & Chandon has been the trusted and inseparable partner of the World’s Best Sommelier Competition, so in 2012 we are delighted to take the natural step of becoming the title partner of the UK Sommelier of the Year competition. As the world’s most loved champagne brand, Moët & Chandon is proud to highlight its attachment to the sommelier profession and to encourage its development through education and training in the UK. We look forward to a hotly contested competition in 2012 and to growing our involvement with the entrants in years to come.”

The closing date for entries to the competition has also been extended to 10 April 2012. All entrants are asked to complete a first round questionnaire from which the top scoring candidates are chosen to go forward to the regional finals, being held on 30 April in London, Tunbridge Wells, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Manchester.

The winners of the regional finals will pit their skills in the grand final on 23 May 2012 at the London International Wine Fair (LIWF) at ExCel London.

Entry forms can be obtained on the event’s website at www.sommelieroftheyear.co.uk or from the Academy website at www.afws.co.uk. Alternatively call the Academy on 020 8661 4646. All entries must be accompanied by an employer nomination.

If you would like to attend the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year final at the LIWF please email the Academy’s events manager Sarah Peters at sarah@afws.co.uk.

(ends)

For further information, please contact:
Academy of Food and Wine Service
Linda Pettit
T. 01737 823721, M. 07973 789853, Linda@tilburstowmedia.co.uk

EDITOR’S NOTES

About the 2012 Academy of Food and Wine Service UK Sommelier of the Year
The competition is open to professional sommeliers and waiting staff working in the UK. All entries must be supported by an employer nomination. Entrants who achieve a 75% pass mark on an initial written questionnaire go through to the regional finals.

From the regionals, 12 candidates are then chosen to compete in the national finals in the Waterfront Rooms at the London International Wine Fair on 23 May 2012. Attendance is by invitation only.

The winner will be announced the same day and will be awarded with a trophy and an all-expenses paid trip to South America’s leading organic and biodynamic wine producer, Emiliana. The Emiliana Bursary, in association with Boutinot Wines, will be a five-day tour of Chile’s vineyard regions.

www.afws.co.uk and www.sommelieroftheyear.co.uk

About Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon has been the champagne of success and glamour since 1743. Renowned for its achievements, firsts and legendary pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon is the Maison that introduced champagne to the world. Synonymous with the most venerable of traditions and the most modern of pleasures, Moët & Chandon has celebrated life’s most triumphant moments with grandeur and generosity for nearly 270 years.

Moët & Chandon Champagnes
Moët & Chandon shares the magic of champagne with the world, offering a range of unique wines for every occasion, mood and palate. From the iconic Moët Impérial to the Grand Vintage Collection, the extroverted Moët Rosé Impérial to the innovative Moët Ice Impérial, each champagne dazzles and delights with bright fruitiness, a seductive palate and an elegant maturity.

(ends)

Bread and Flowers is a catering company based in Salisbury specialising in Southern European & Middle Eastern food.  They 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.

They create memorable, sensuous food, served in a relaxed and friendly style yet with precision timing from a totally professional, hard working and dedicated team.

Please email – bee@gve.co.uk if you are interested including your:

Full Name

Email address, phone number & address

CV or any detail of relevant experience

DOB

A Photograph

Please quote AFWS when applying.

This summer Bread and Flowers are catering at the Chalke Valley History Festival for the second year running.  It’s a festival dedicated to history and education through the study of history.  It will take place in the beautiful Chalke valley, just outside of Salisburyand will be host to a plethora of distinguished historians, writers, tv personalities and chefs.  It runs from Tuesday 26^th June through Sunday 1^st July during which time we expect to serve some 4000 people a diverse menu of fantastic dishes.

This will be a challenge and we’re looking for chefs, sous chefs, waiters, waitresses, kitchen porters with experience and drive to join our existing, outstanding team.

We are looking for staff that can work ALL of the following dates.

Tuesday         26^th June       6.30pm – 10.30pm

Wednesday   27^th June       6.30pm – 10.30pm

Thursday       28^th June       6.30pm – 10.30pm

Friday             29^th June       6.30pm – 10.30pm

Saturday        30^th June       11.30am – 3.30pm

Saturday        30^th June       6.30pm – 10.30pm

Sunday          1^st July           11.30am – 3.30pm

Sunday          1^st July           6.30pm -   10.30pm

Please email – bee@gve.co.uk if you are interested including your :

Full Name

Email address, phone number & address

CV or any detail of relevant experience

Age / DOB

Interviews will be held in April.

We are paying an hourly rate depending on experience.

Those working will need to arrange transport to & from the venue.

Please quote AFWS when applying.