Hotel Owner

Last call for Sommelier of the Year entries

The Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) has called for any last-minute entries to the UK Sommelier of the Year competition.

Deadline for entries has been extended to 1 March. AFWS executive director John Croft said: “We’ve had a great response from sommeliers and wine waiters so far, but we want to make sure that anyone thinking of entering has the opportunity to do so.

“I would like to urge anyone interested to have a go – it’s a great way to learn, to network and to develop your knowledge about wine and wine service.”

The Moët UK Sommelier of the Year is one of the most coveted titles in the front-of-house beverage service profession, with entries coming from wine professionals across various hospitality sectors.

Now in its 34th, the competition sets out to find the best wine waiter or sommelier based upon their wine and drink knowledge, their ability to deal with customers, and front of house service skills.

World champion sommelier and hotelier Gerard Bassett OBE, MW, MS will chair the panel of expert judges.

On receipt of an entry form, all entrants will be sent a first round written questionnaire. The top scoring candidates will then be chosen to compete in the regional finals on 25 March, with winners going forward to the semi-final and final at London’s Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park on 28 May.

To download an entry form visit www.afws.co.uk or www.sommelieroftheyear.co.uk