Jan Konetzki wins Moët UK Sommelier of the Year

Published: 24 May, 2012

Jan Konetzki of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay has been awarded the 2012 Moët UK Sommelier of the Year award.

The final of the competition was was held yesterday at the London International Wine Fair at ExCeL, organised by the Academy of Food & Wine Service.

Konetzki came to London five years ago from Hamburg to join the Gordon Ramsay team at Maze, and has since worked for the group at Claridge's and then Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Royal Hospital Road, where he became head sommelier 18 months ago.

The three top sommeliers, whittled down from 12 throughout the day, were set rigorous tasks designed to test their drinks knowledge and service skills, as well as their ability to manage staff and deal with customers under pressure.

The runners up were: Laurent Richet of Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham and Clement Robert of Medlar Restaurant in London SW10.

Chairman of judges Gerard Basset OBE said: "It was a fantastic final against three really top-class sommeliers and the marks were very close. But Jan completed the tasks with true panache, and demonstrated a real talent and considerable knowledge in all aspects of being a sommelier."

As part of his prize Jan will visit Maison Moët & Chandon and taste the Grand Vintage collection with chef de cave Benoît Gouez, as well as an all expenses-paid trip to Emiliana vineyards and winery in Chile, and a sommeliers' selection of glasses from Riedel.

He also qualifies for selection for the European Sommelier of the Year competition, organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.

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