Case studies
- GW Pharmaceuticals
- One Wimpole Street Promotional evening
- Academy of Food and Wine
Case study
Academy of Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Awards 2008
On Wednesday 27 June 2007, One Wimpole Street played host to its' summer promotional evening as a start to the rebranding and re-launch of its conference facilities.
The Occasion
In April, in association with the Academy of Food and Wine, One Wimpole Street hosted the 2008 Sommelier of the Year Awards.
This showcase event took place on April 2nd between our two venues, Chandos House and One Wimpole Street. Consisting of a short list of 15 contestants from some of the most prestigious restaurants and organisations in the U.K., a blind tasting, formal plated lunch, service trials competition, and canapé awards ceremony were capped off by the announcement of Gearoid Devaney from Tom Aikens restaurants the winner. Gearoid saw off stiff competition from Isa Bal of the Fat Duck and Cyril Thevenet from the Hotel du Vin group to tip the prize.
The Catering
In the morning, the 15 contestants gathered for a breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries and yoghurt served with Fairtrade coffee, teas and infusions in the Max Rayne Foyer.
The blind tasting was held the Max Rayne Atrium, which is absolutely ideal with its glass roof allowing the natural light to provide the contestants with the best possible environment to judge the wines.
After the tasting, the Atrium was cleared and reset for a 2 course plated lunch for 50 people, with a menu of roasted poussin and burnt lemon tart with marscapone cream.
How we used our Audio Visual
The afternoons’ programme brought the industry people and general public to our Main Lecture Theatre, where an impromptu restaurant layout was set for the service skills portion of the competition. Branding, lighting and staging were brought in by the AWFS and it’s sponsors, to augment the regular presentation areas.
The final three competitors battled it out, from a mock service, to a champagne pouring competition where a double magnum had to be poured evenly into 16 glasses without going back to a glass for a second time!
Outcome
After a day of stiff competition, the all the guests, press, and competitors proceeded to Chandos House, the second home of the Royal Society of Medicine, for a six item canapé reception and champagne party where the final results were announced.
