Judges

Raphael Thierry

Wine Consultant

Self Employed

Rebecca Coates

Consultant and Winemaker

Independent/ Urban Foxes Winery

Rebecca's wine career began with a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Plumpton College. Soon after she headed to sunny California to make wine in Sonoma County before returning to London and joining Hakkasan's Wine Buying Team. After 3 years with Hakkasan, Rebecca returned to the winery and is now making wine with a fellow Plumpton alumna under their own label. She continues to judge wine in a number of international competitions and also consults privately advising independent clients.

Rémi Cousin

Head Sommelier

Le Gavroche

Rémi is currently the head sommelier at Michel Roux Jr’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gavroche. Prior to this Rémi worked for 8 years as assistant sommelier at Heston Blumenthal’s three Michelin-starred restaurant, The Fat Duck. Rémi won the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs UK young sommelier award in 2011 and holds the title of Advanced Sommelier from The Court of Master Sommeliers. From a very young age Rémi always thought he wanted to become a chef. However, after a short spell in the kitchen of the George V in Paris, he took a different route and went onto join Le Meurice as trainee sommelier where he tasted for the first time a Château d'Yquem 1988. It was then that Rémi knew he had found his career path! Rémi moved to the UK in 2004 where he started working at the Hotel du Vin in York and in Bristol.

Romain de Courcy

Bar Manager

The Ritz Paris

Romain is the beverage manager at Gazelle in Mayfair where he carefully curates a progressive drinks list and spends most of his time talking to guests, sharing his taste for the finer things in life. After business studies in France, the UK and the USA Romain started what promised to be a successful career in luxury fashion. On the side he regularly hosted cocktail parties for a select few friends and what began as a hobby quickly became his true calling. Two years ago he took a leap of faith and started over as a bartender for The Drink Factory, one of the most highly-regarded companies in the industry. On this new path Romain discovered a passion for hospitality and exceptional wines.