Julien excels

The United Kingdom king of Habanos sommelier for 2005 has been crowned after a day of nerve-racking written exams and tests.

Julien Foussadier, head bar man at Tunbridge Wells’ Hotel du Vin, scooped the prestigious title after impressing the judges.

The 24-year-old saw off stiff competition from two other finalists, who had been selected from 10 sommeliers.

United Kingdom Havana cigar importer Hunters & Frankau and the Academy of Food & Wine Service staged the contest at Claridges, London (pictured above).

Both semi-final and final took place on the same day and the winner will join Hunters & Frankau’s week-long tour to Cuba for the eighth Festival del Habano in February.

The winner will also represent the UK at the World Habanos Sommelier Contest held in Havana during the festival.

The finals tested the candidates’ knowledge of information about Habanos including tobacco growing and processing, cigar making and packing in Cuba, knowledge of the sizes of Havana cigars and 11 leading brands – Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, H. Upmann, Punch, Bolivar, San Cristobal, Vegas Robaina and Trinidad.

Apractical examination proved the candidates’ ability to appraise, recommend, cut, serve and light a Habanos for a guest, as well as matching it with a suitable aperitif.

Afterwards Julien said he had spent months studying after he found out he had been selected.

“I feel a lot better now its over,” he said. “I am really pleased to be going to Cuba, and hope to give it my best shot.

“I went out to Cuba when Bjorn Eriksson won. It was just the perfect place, and it really opened my eyes and decided that was my future in the cigar world.

“Hotel du Vin offers about 95 different cigars at the bar, and more than 75 per cent of them are Cuban.

“It is great to be able to offer a customer something they have not tried before, and select something that goes with their choice of drink as well. I am quite passionate about this combination.”

Section : News

Page number : 6

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 6 on 11/11/2005.

This article is 81 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Julien excels The United Kingdom king of Habanos sommelier for 2005 has been crowned after a day of nerve-racking written exams and tests. Julien Foussadier, head bar man at Tunbridge Wells’ Hotel du Vin, scooped the prestigious title after impressing the judges. The 24-year-old saw off stiff competition from two other finalists, who had been selected from 10 sommeliers. United Kingdom Havana cigar importer Hunters & Frankau and the Academy of Food & Wine Service staged the contest at Claridges, London (pictured above). Both semi-final and final took place on the same day and the winner will join Hunters & Frankau’s week-long tour to Cuba for the eighth Festival del Habano in February. The winner will also represent the UK at the World Habanos Sommelier Contest held in Havana during the festival. The finals tested the candidates’ knowledge of information about Habanos including tobacco growing and processing, cigar making and packing in Cuba, knowledge of the sizes of Havana cigars and 11 leading brands – Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, H. Upmann, Punch, Bolivar, San Cristobal, Vegas Robaina and Trinidad. Apractical examination proved the candidates’ ability to appraise, recommend, cut, serve and light a Habanos for a guest, as well as matching it with a suitable aperitif. Afterwards Julien said he had spent months studying after he found out he had been selected. “I feel a lot better now its over,” he said. “I am really pleased to be going to Cuba, and hope to give it my best shot. “I went out to Cuba when Bjorn Eriksson won. It was just the perfect place, and it really opened my eyes and decided that was my future in the cigar world. “Hotel du Vin offers about 95 different cigars at the bar, and more than 75 per cent of them are Cuban. “It is great to be able to offer a customer something they have not tried before, and select something that goes with their choice of drink as well. I am quite passionate about this combination.” By Section : News Page number : 6 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 6 on 11/11/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 81 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.