Search to find UK’s best sommelier and chef team returns

Copa Jerez, the competition that aims to uncover the UK’s best sommelier and chef team, is returning for 2022.

Chefs and somms from across the United Kingdom are invited to enter the Copa Jerez 2022 competition.

To enter, teams will need to create a three-course menu with a Sherry theme to dazzle the Copa Jerez judges during the UK heat of the contest.

Copa Jerez is organised by Sherry Wines and is part of efforts to showcase the versatility of sherry. Chef and sommelier teams will need to bear that in mind when devising their menus.

Each course will need to be paired with Sherry, and the wine will need to be included as an ingredient in at least one dish, though teams can go further should they desire.

“Gastronomy in the UK represents some of the most exciting in the world, which is why each year we receive entries from Michelin star quality”, commented César Saldaña, president of the Consejo Regulador de Jerez y Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

“This year we are searching for a winning UK team that can go forward to the international final to compete with top chefs and sommeliers from six other countries and triumph to bring home the trophy for the UK. It is a serious competition, but we know the UK has a competitive streak and will rise to the challenge.”

A panel of renowned food and wine experts will judge the teams, with the three top chef and somm pairings invited to take part in the Copa Jerez UK final on 17 October.

The winning team will will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Sherry region of Jerez and will represent the UK at the International Competition of Gastronomy and Sherry Pairing, to be held in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain in October 2023.

You can find out more, and register your place, here.