Preparation for the international finals of the Chaine’s young sommelier competition start the moment that the national title has been won. Thus six months study, training, mentoring from different master sommeliers many of whom are judges in our national competition. Then in mid October Loic Avril boarded a flight at Heathrow bound for Washington, DC.

The program started with a visit to RdV vineyard in the rolling Virginia countryside about in hours drive from the hotel. You ask vineyards in Virginia ? Yes there are about 320 in the state! Including one owned by Donald Trump producing probably Virginia’s best sparkling wine. A tour of the estate on trailers through the immaculately kept vineyards with owner Rutgers de Vink, next through the winery and then lunch, which was specially prepared by Neal Wavra of the Ashby Inn with matching vintages from RdV.

Friday was the big day - competition day – which ran from 8 am to 4.30 pm in the Fairmont Hotel. Then a wait for all the competitors until results were announced at a glittering ceremony at the French Embassy that evening. In being announced as the winner Loic, from the Fat Buck at Bray, received not only the prestige of this title and the trophy, but also the Peter Jones Award (€1000) and a Chaine Champagne sabre. In second and third place were Bobby Conroy of the Benu restaurant in San Francisco and Jarrod Mills of Est Retaurant in Sydney, Australia.

Speaking about his win Loic said he was ‘stunned but delighted’ to have taken the top spot this year: “It is an honour to have competed against my peers at such as prestigious competition, and of course to have won is just amazing. “To be judged on your performance by some of my heroes was the most nerve-racking experience of my life but I just imagined I was at work and tried to keep it together. “We having narrowly missed out of the top spot last year I am absolutely delighted to bring the title back to Britain.”

Avril was supported on his journey by Bailli Délégué Philip Evins and Janet Evins, Wessex Bailli both of whom said they were ‘enormously impressed’ with Loic’s whole approach to the competition and it was one of the most exciting contests they had offering been involved with in the six years that Chaine Gb has entered the competition. “The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Young Professionals competition is about giving our industry’s young people a platform to show their skill and receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work,” said Phillip. “Chaîne GB finalists have achieved three wins and three second places in six years clearly showing that the training of our young people is at the very core of our industry’s development practice. We congratulate Loic on his impressive win, and wish him the best of luck for what is likely to be a very bright future.”