Sommelier of the year 2003

"I wasn’t expecting to win," Maillet said, "this was only my first attempt at the competition."

THE TOAST of the on-trade this month is Loic Maillet, head sommelier at Aurora at The Great Eastern Hotel in London.

Maillet has beaten 200 of his fellow sommeliers to become the 12th Champagne Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year. "I wasn’t expecting to win," Maillet said, "this was only my first attempt at the competition."

Partner Content

How the Chardonnay Association of South Africa is changing perceptions

Masterclass proves the UK should look out for Lisboa

Centre-Loire takes centre-stage

Belvedere, Holland Park: It’s a ‘white truffle’ Christmas!

It is hoped by Ruinary that the award will continue to help develop and raise the profile of the profession in eateries across the UK.