2011 UK HabanoSommelier crowned
On October 18th, the annual UK HabanoSommelier final was held at Hunters & Frankau Limited London head offices.
Three finalists from some of the leading cigar friendly restaurants and hotels, with outdoor cigar areas, arrived to face a tough day of competition. The prize at stake was an all expenses paid trip to Cuba to represent the UK at the International Habanosommelier final during the 14th Habanos Festival (February 27th to March 2nd 2012) in Havana.
Although the competition was strong and all of the contestants had their individual merits, at the end of a tough day’s assessment the judges, Hunters & Frankau’s Sean Croley (General Manager for Sales & Marketing), Simon Chase (ex- Marketing Director of H&F) and Ignacio Balmaseda (H&F’s Cuban Corporate Director), came to a unanimous decision to award Olivier Marie (Cod d’Argent) with the coveted title. His strong written exam coupled with an in depth knowledge of Cuban cigars and exemplary cigar service carried the day.
41 year old Frenchman, Olivier Marie, has been with the Coq d’Argent for ten years and is now Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer for the company.
Everyone at the Cigar Smokers Club wishes him the best of luck in his attempt to bring the trophy back to the UK.
For further information visit http://cigars.co.uk/news/2011-uk-habanosommelier-crowned.
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