London sommelier wins Moët UK Sommelier Of The Year 2016

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 18 May, 2016

Terry Kandylis from London's 67 Pall Mall has been awarded the 2016 Moët UK Sommelier of the Year title.

Kandylis took home the top spot at the Academy of Food & Wine Service's (AFWS) competition's finale on Tuesday (May 16) at London's Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

MASH's Jess Kildetoft was awarded second place, with Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie coming third.

Twelve hopefuls from operations across the UK took part in a number of tests designed to challenge their skills, palate and ability to work under pressure.

This included blind tastings of wines and spirits and spotting errors on a wine list.

Returning host Gerard Basset OBE, MW, MS chaired the panel of judges, which was also made up of previous winners Xavier Rousset MS, Nicolas Clerc, Eric Zwiebel and 2015 champion Tanguy Martin.

"It has been an amazing journey," Kandylis said of his win. "I wouldn't have imagined something like this when I came to the UK six years ago. I would like to thank my friends and team because without them I wouldn't be here. It has been a great learning process."

This is the fifth year that the AFWS competition has partnered with Champagne Moët & Chandon.

"Over the five years that we have worked with the AFWS for this competition, our mission has been to enhance the learning and experience that every entrant, no matter which stage of the competition they reach, takes with them," said Julie Nollet, Marketing & Communication Director for Moët Hennessy UK.

"It is very clear that the UK has some of the highest standards of sommellerie of anywhere in the world, and we are very proud to be have been able to help this happen."

The Moët UK Sommelier of the Year competition has been organised by the AFWS since 1980, and is internationally recognised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI).

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