The search begins for UK Sommelier of the Year 2011

16th November 2010, 12:47pm

The Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) is calling for professional sommeliers and wine waiters from any style of establishment including fine dining restaurants, high street restaurants or gastro pubs to enter its the 2011 Champagne Piper-Heidsieck UK Sommelier of the Year competition.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.afws.co.uk or by calling the Academy on 020 8661 4646. All entries must be accompanied by an employer nomination. The closing date for entries is 7 January 2011.

AFWS chairman Nick Scade said: "This competition is now one of the premier events in UK sommellerie but this year we are hoping to broaden its appeal and attract sommeliers and wine waiters from a range of establishments. 

"The role of front-of-house has gained in profile and importance across the industry and we hope the level of entries to the 2011 UK Sommelier of the Year competition will reflect this."

Victor Lanson from First Drinks, Piper-Heidsieck's UK distributor, added: "This year we are hoping to find another dedicated wine professional worthy of winning the title. Each year the competition attracts more and more entries, so 2011 promises to be another exciting event, which perhaps might reveal an unknown star of the industry."

This year's judges includes Gerard Basset MS, MW, technical director of AFWS and owner of Hotel TerraVina, Hampshire, Matt Wilkin MS, AFWS director and Ian Harris, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Last year's Champagne Piper-Heidsieck UK Sommelier of the Year was Christopher Delalonde, who works with the London-based wine sourcing service Sarment Wines.

Related Articles:

• 02 Jun 2011 - 2011 Piper-Heidsieck UK sommelier of the Year crowned
• 24 Nov 2010 - Two master sommeliers recognised at the multi award-winning hotel
• 25 Oct 2010 - Academy announces awards for excellence winners
• 29 Apr 2010 - UK sommelier of the year announced
• 25 Feb 2010 - Semi-finalists of UK sommelier of the year revealed
• 03 Feb 2010 - Sommelier of the Year 2009 celebrates winning prize
• 15 Jun 2009 - UK's Young Sommelier of the Year winner announced
• 30 Apr 2009 - Southampton sommelier wins top accolade
• 02 Mar 2009 - Regional winners for UK sommelier of the year announced
• 24 Feb 2009 - AFW launches new competition
• 04 Nov 2008 - The Academy searches for its stars
• 08 Sep 2008 - Top prize for sommelier at The Fat Duck
• 22 May 2008 - Fat Duck sommelier wins top accolade
• 04 Apr 2008 - The AFW secures deal for new competition partner

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