Loic Avril of The Fat Duck, Bray, and iconic chef and restaurateur Anton Mosimann OBE have been honoured for their achievements in the hospitality and wine industry at The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom’s Winter Banquet, held in London’s historical Vintners Hall.
Loic, this year’s Young Sommelier of the Year, sponsored by The Wine Guild, was presented with an engraved decanter and received honorary membership to the organisation in the traditional, robed ceremony. He won the title as the youngest runner-up in the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014.
Tanguy Martin, sommelier at Hotel TerraVina, Southampton, was also honoured for his achievement as a finalist in this year’s Sommelier of the Year competition.
Aqua Shard bar manager Myles Donneky received honorary membership of the Guild as the winner of the 2014 Rothschild Rising Star Award, presented by the F&B Managers Association of London.
All four were presented with the insignia of The Wine Guild during the formal intronisation ceremony.
Mike Hildesley, chairman of The Wine Guild commented: “We are delighted to honour and recognise the achievements of Loic, Tanguy, Myles, and of course, Anton, and welcome them to the Wine Guild.
“Anton Mosimann needs no introduction, but his contribution to hospitality, and the world of food and wine is legendary. Loic, Tanguy and Myles all show incredible commitment and dedication to their profession. All have achieved a great deal already in their careers and will no doubt go on to become leading lights in hospitality.”
Three Wine Guild members were made Companions of The Wine Guild at the banquet in recognition of their contribution to the organisation: Jenny Yeo, Adam Hogg and Henry Meakin received scrolls of acknowledgement from Mike Hildesley.
The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom was established in 1983 to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of wine and to support UK wine producers. Members of The Guild are eligible to attend social events, study for wine scholarships and join tours of wine growing areas around the world, as well as attend tastings carried out by Masters of Wine.
The Guild’s historical, robed ceremonies reflect the traditions of the Craft Guilds of Medieval Europe, although the organisation has modern aims and attracts members from a broad range of backgrounds and ages.
Pictured: Young Sommelier of the Year Loic Avril having been presented with an engraved decanter by The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom chairman Michael Hildesley.
About The Wine Guild
On a visit to France many years ago, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu was challenged by the Marquis de Goulaine, Grand Master of the Bretvins (the distinguished order of the Loire), on the absence of the United Kingdom as a member of La Fédération Internationale des Confréries Bachiques (FICB). The Federation then had a membership of 47 Orders, Chapters and Guilds from ten nations.
As a result it was decided that the United Kingdom should apply for membership. The application was sponsored by the Bretvins and subsequently approved by the Federation. With financial help from the wine industry in the UK – and in particular from Allied-Lyons (now Allied-Domecq) – The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom was formed in July 1983. It was incorporated as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee and without a share capital.
The Wine Guild is a non-profit making organisation set up to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of the fruit of the vine and to support the wine producers of the United Kingdom. Its members are people with a strong interest in wine coming from various backgrounds, who join to extend their knowledge of wine, to widen their contacts and to broaden their knowledge both at the international level and of the developing English and Welsh wine industry.
The Guild welcomes new members who wish to get involved and to help. They will be proposed and seconded by a member.
For more information click here