'Therefore, I need to find some replacements and what I am looking for, to start with, is one or two ambitious up-and-coming sommeliers who are perhaps in a position of number two at the moment but who are almost ready for their first position as number one. I am looking for someone (or two people) who want to learn and develop. A person who has as their priority the desire to become a great sommelier. A person who sees financial reward for later once he/she has achieved a high level of expertise. A person who is highly enthusiastic and passionate and who wants to work and learn with me.
'As I have always done, way back from my Hotel du Vin days to now at Hotel TerraVina, I leave my Head Sommelier to select around 80% to 90% of the wine list once I have enough confidence in their abilities. Like many of my past sommeliers, Laura had a major input in setting up the wine list here and very quickly was doing most of the wine list by herself. The sommeliers will also learn about bar drinks and cocktails and they will have their courses and exams paid for by the company. There are also opportunities to participate in varied wine trips around the world. The candidates need to speak English well and have a good understanding of International wines. I am prepared to spend a lot of time coaching the right candidate(s) as can attest many of the sommeliers who worked for me in the past. (Many of them won national competitions and/or became Master Sommeliers.)'
If you want to see what Gérard looks like in motion, come back and see my video of a cuvée of top British sommeliers at a recent natural wine tasting to be published later this week. You can contact him via Hotel TerraVina.
Laurent is going to work in Nottingham at Sat Bains and Laura looks set to be going to work in California.
