The UK Sommelier of the Year competition has long been a prestigious event in the hospitality industry, celebrating the talents and expertise of sommeliers across the country.
At the IWSC, we are proud of our continued commitment to fostering excellence and education within the wine, spirits, and hospitality industries. It is with great pleasure that we take ownership of the UK Sommelier of the Year competition.
We will be working in partnership with the UK Sommelier Academy to host this annual event, celebrating and recognising the UK’s finest sommeliers.
Please note that the entry deadline has been extended until Friday 23 August.
The entrance exam consist of three parts: a theory exam, an opinion-based exam, and a tasting exam. These are designed to assess your wine knowledge, wine tasting skills, and your ability to demonstrate hospitality etiquette.
Applications will be reviewed by the Technical Committee, who will select the candidates invited to the next stage.
Candidates selected will be invited to join the UK Sommelier Academy. Membership in the academy provides several benefits and support to help them compete effectively, including:
Successful candidates will be invited to attend the two-day event in London on 14 - 15 October 2024.
Day 1: Quarter final
Day 2: Semi-Final and Final
Morning: Semi-Final
Afternoon: Final
Selected candidates will receive a detailed program of the 2-day event in London.
We will invite all candidates to attend the announcement evening where we will celebrate the achievements of all the sommeliers at a networking event. During this event, we will award the following categories:
The winner will receive a bursary from the IWSC to use towards their training.
Terms & Conditions
Please download the Terms & Conditions here to ensure your application meets the criteria.
Timeline
Submission
Download the submission form here and send it to community@iwsc.net with your supporting documents.
2023 | Agnieszka Swiecka |
2022 | Vincenzo Arnese |
2019 | Romain Bourger |
2018 | Alex Fréguin |
2017 | Mathias Camilleri MS |
2016 | Terry Kandylis |
2015 | Tanguy Martin |
2014 | Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS |
2013 | Clement Robert MS |
2012 | Jan Konetzki |
2011 | Yohann Jousselin MS |
2010 | Christopher Delalonde MS |
2009 | Laura Rhys MS |
2008 | Gearoid Devaney MS |
2007 | Nicolas Clerc MS |
2006 | Claire Thevenot MS |
2005 | Matthew Wilkin MS |
2004 | Eric Zwiebel MS |
2003 | Loic Maillet |
2002 | Xavier Rousset MS |
2001 | James Payne |
2000 | Matthieu Longuère MS |
1999 | Alan Holmes |
1998 | Ronan Sayburn MS |
1997 | Vincent Gasnier MS |
1996 | Franck Massard |
1995 | Henri Chapon MS |
1994 | Mark Walter |
1993 | Nicholas Mobbs |
1992 | Gerard Basset OBE MW MS |
1991 | Michael Simms |
1990 | John Walker |
1989 | Gerard Basset OBE MW MS |
1988 | Stephen Wilcock MS |
1987 | Simon Hopkinson |
1986 | Michael Varney |
1985 | David Hair |
1984 | Michael Simms |
1983 | Bryan Dawes MS |
1982 | Charles Piggin MS |
1981 | Claudia Harris MS |
1980 | June Schmidt – Lowe |