May/June 2005 Raising the Standard of Service Supporters How the Academy has helped our careers Aramark Athenaeum, Grove & and is raising the Sommelier’s profile Runnymede Hotels Two of the Academy’s most enthusiastic individual supporters are Ronan Sayburn and Matthew Wilkin, who earlier this year both gained their Master Sommelier Diploma, adding B I I to a string of personal achievements which include winning the Champagne Ruinart UK Bragard Sommelier of the Year title (in 1998 and 2005 respectively) and the AFWS Dom Perignon Award for Excellence. The Capital Hotel or educational opportunities Working for Michelin starred in Australia. However, until I Chewton Glen Hotel establishments, both are also arrived here, I wasn’t aware just at the top of their profession how much camaraderie and pro- Court of Master Sommeliers MS within sommellerie, Ronan as active help there was in the UK, chef Sommelier with Gordon particularly through the Academy, Conde Nast Johansens Ramsay and Matt as group the Court of Master Sommeliers De Vere Hotels consultant Sommelier with the and WSET.” Capital Group. On behalf of Both believe that the Academy, Devonshire Arms, the Academy they are closely particularly through the Bolton Abbey involved with technical director, competitions it organises and the Gerard Basset, in developing the opportunities it provides to meet Dorchester Hotel newly established AFWS Wine other like-minded professionals, Elite Hotels Committee. plays a crucial part in highlighting They readily agree that the the Sommelier’s professional Matt Wilkin welcomes the Four Seasons Hotel Academy has played a pivotal skills. Says Ronan: “In too many camaraderie and pro-active role in helping them further their businesses wines are neglected. help Academy contact brings Goring Hotels careers. As Ronan recalls: “About The national competitions show the Academy and the industry,” Hand Picked Hotels ten years ago, I was working in that having somebody there to they agree. a restaurant in Scarborough, select, serve and promote wines Under another proposal, also Hotel du Vin Group realised that I particularly alongside the food is profitable being considered by the AFWS enjoyed the wine side, so wrote for any establishment.” Wine Committee, college Hilton Hotels UK to Gerard for advice on becoming “Participating in competitions lecturers would be invited to HSBC a Sommelier. He put me in touch has definitely helped my career,” single out their best beverage with Henri Chapon, who was then adds Matt, who this year took the students with the objective of fast- Hunters & Frankau at Le Manoir Aux national title at tracking them into sommellerie. Quat’Saisons, the sixth attempt, The idea is to bring, say, ten InterContinental London where I spent a d v a n c i n g lecturers and students to London two years before for a day’s introduction to the Lanesborough Hotel progressively joining a wine each year, from major restaurants and their Marriott Hotels merchants to regional finalist Sommeliers, a wine tasting and learn more about in 2000 to practical skills session. “One day Marston Hotels wine.” reaching the last which would give them an insight When Ronan four finals. “Of and an opportunity to decide Master Innholders MI joined Gordon course you have if they would like to become Millennium & Copthorne Hotels R a m s a y a s to put the work Sommeliers,” explains Ronan. Sommelier six in yourself but to Pointing out that “the UK Peel Hotels years ago, there win the Ruinart restaurant scene is one of the most was just the one competition and dynamic, diverse and talented in Quintessential Hotels restaurant. With Ronan Sayburn urges achieve the MS the world,” he added, “there ambitious young people Ritz Hotel London the opening of you need the are enough opportunities for Maze this May to take advantage of the support and ambitious people. The industry St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and there are now Academy’s expertise encouragement is crying out for Sommeliers Spa eight and he has been closely of others.” and by taking advantage of the involved in setting up wine Through their active involvement Academy’s expertise, young Savoy Educational Trust lists appropriate to each, while with the AFWS Wine Committee, people can develop skills and Shire Hotels remaining head Sommelier at the both are committed to putting knowledge which will advance Chelsea flagship. something back, by helping their careers”. Sodexho For Matt, who arrived here in the Academy raise the profile And, emphasising that there is 1999 with ten years’ experience of Sommellerie in the UK, always another target to aim Sheraton Hotels and Resorts in restaurants and wineries in encouraging young people for, Matt reveals that a future Stuart Alexander Insurances his native Australia behind him: to enter the profession and personal ambition is to attain “London is the mecca to gain identifying and nurturing home dual Anglo/Australian nationality Vineyard at Stockcross knowledge and experience grown talent. “Establishing a “so that I can qualify to compete about worldwide wines. There Sommelier qualification would be for Ruinart’s European Trophy”, Wentworth Club are simply not the same job a very important development for he said. Wine and Spirit Education Trust Catch up with the Academy's news on www.acfws.org Academy Awards 2005 New venue and new features For its Annual Awards 2005, taking place on Thursday 22 September, the Academy moves to a splendid new venue at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall, London Bridge. We have also added some AFWS Travel Awards 2005 new features and will welcome new sponsors, to our established In co-operation with our sponsors, the Academy’s awards and presentations, which acknowledge individual and Awards for 2005 include three Travel Scholarships, corporate achievements and contributions to the Academy’s work each offering one lucky recipient an invaluable ‘in the during the past year. field’ opportunity to further his or her knowledge and New elements for 2005 are: a travel scholarship to Germany; a understanding of a production region. This year they are competition to determine the winner of our cigar service travel Australia, Cuba and Germany. award; and the opportunity for a successful catering student to gain As announced elsewhere on this AFWS Australia Travel Award, work experience in a top restaurant. You can read more about these page, the winner of the AFWS sponsored by Wine of Australia, awards and the entry criteria elsewhere on this page. Havana Cigar Service Award, and the AFWS Germany Travel The Academy Awards 2005 are: sponsored by Hunters & Frankau, Award, sponsored by Wines The Dom Perignon Award for Excellence will be decided through the of Germany, will be decided Savoy Educational Trust Sommelier Scholarship, inaugural UK HabanoSommelier through written entries on a set in conjunction with Levin Wines Contest 2005. Winners of the theme, as follows: Hunters & Frankau Cigar Service Travel Award Wine of Australia Travel Award Australia Travel Award Wines of Germany Travel Award Theme: What would you do to promote Australian wines as Philip Thornton Award food wines in your establishment? Aramark College of the Year Entries, for example, can take In addition to the travel Johansens Company of the Year the form of a written essay; or scholarship, the prize also a visual approach, such as a includes a tutored tasting by proposed ‘by the glass’ list or a the Australian Wine Board suggested tent card/blackboard for all staff at the winner’s promotion. establishment. Germany Travel Award New Award recognises Theme: Entrants will be required to complete a short student achievement questionnaire about German wines and submit a 250 word This year, one successful & Guilds Food and Drink response to the following question: ‘Do you think German catering student can look Service Level 2 qualification, Riesling is a versatile food match and why?’ forward to gaining invaluable currently offered nationally The winner will travel, in April This fair will be the showcase practical experience through the at over 70 further education 2006, to Mainzer Weinborse, for the 2005 vintage, featuring new annual Philip establishments. Tutors the prestigious annual German wines from 150 exhibitors. The Thornton Award. The will be invited to wine fair organised by the VDP, prize also includes a short tour original proposal for nominate candidates which represents some of the around the wineries of a local an Award focusing for consideration. country’s prominent wineries. wine growing region. on youthful achievement came The prize includes a week’s food from the Thornton family. service work experience in a first Further details will be published in the next issue of Table Service The award will be made to class restaurant in the UK (with (July/August). If you would like more information about the AFWS the college student who gains travel and accommodation), Travel Awards and how to enter, do contact Sophie Brown on the highest marks in the City plus a cheque. tel: 020 8943 1011 or email: [email protected] AFWS joins with Hunters & Frankau to launch UK HabanoSommelier Contest The Academy has linked up with Put your Cuban cigar knowlege and service skills to the test! California Wine to launch the In a competition which mirrors Cuba’s annual World them prepare, entrants will first-ever tasting of this region’s HabanoSommelier Contest, the AFWS has joined with Hunters receive literature from H&F in wines specifically geared to & Frankau to launch the UK HabanoSommelier Contest 2005. advance of the competition. those working in, and buying The winner will also receive the company’s travel scholarship On the day, the morning for, hotels, restaurants and bars. to Havana at the AFWS Annual Awards 2005. phase of the competition will The California Wine Hotel and To qualify, entrants for the UK semi-final and final, which both comprise a written examination Restaurant Tasting takes place contest should meet at least take place on 5 September 2005 followed by a practical exercise.