In the UK’s toughest sommelier competition, involving the greatest wine talent in London and Britain, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay’s sommelier Jan Konetzki reigns supreme. He was awarded Moet UK Sommelier of the Year. Challenges were set to judge service skills, ability to manage staff and deal with customers under pressure. The finalists were asked to correct errors on wine lists, complete blind drinks tasting and achieve the perfect Champagne pour – where a magnum of Champagne was poured equally into 16 glasses, without returning to any of them.
The competition was held at London’s International Wine Fair on Wednesday 23 May and organised by the Academy of Food and Wine Service.