On Monday, September 30, an exclusive networking lunch for female sommeliers was hosted at the Michelin-starred restaurant Hide in London.

Winterhalter and Veuve Clicquot sponsored the event, which brought together a select group of wine industry professionals.

The Guests

Sandia Chang from two Michelin star restaurant Kitchen Table

Maria Cintoli from one Michelin star restaurant Gravetye Manor

Henna Zinzuwadia from Pahli Hill

Stella Sivente from The Noisy Lobster

Elisa Marchini from one Michelin star restaurant Muse by Tom Aikens

Beatrice Bessi from Chiltern Firehouse

Rosie O’Neill from one Michelin star restaurant Tudor Pass

Stefania Sanseverino from Cornus Restaurant

Matildaa Tsappis from Killie Crankie House

Louise Gordon from Handpicked Hotels

The menu

Designed by chef Josh Angus was carefully paired with wines from Madame Clicquot’s cellar.

Charentais melon gazpacho

crisp gem lettuce, seasoned with seaweed, served with a creamy chamomile

dressing topped with crystallised sunflower seeds and a scatter of herbs.

Homemade breads with salted butter and homemade cured goose and pork

charcuterie

Yellow Label Brut

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Nest egg

Barbecued monkfish with glazed pumpkin & smoked peanut praline; pandan leaf

broth

La Grande Dame Rose

Roast glazed dry-aged duck; dumpling of the leg, confit plum & cardamon jus

La Grande Dame 2015

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Summer peach tartlet with lavender; chilled punch

EBEO

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Elisa Marchini, head sommelier and restaurant manager at Muse by Tom Aikens, expressed her excitement about the gathering, stating, "Meeting people who share my passion for wine and food is fantastic. It’s crucial to pair great wine with great food." She also emphasised the importance of clean glassware, noting, "Having Winterhalter here to discuss their product was great."

Jacqueline Kobald, champagne ambassador for Moët Hennessy UK, highlighted the goal of the event: "Today was about bringing a community of female sommeliers together around La Grande Dame cuvée." She remarked on the success of the gathering, saying, "The conversations around the table and the smiles on the guests' faces made it an incredibly successful day."

Stephen Kinkead, managing director of Winterhalter UK and Ireland, was equally impressed, saying, "Today exceeded my expectations. The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was superb, and the event perfectly aligned with our goals." He added, "It was wonderful to bring together ten female sommeliers in an industry that is often male-dominated, and we made valuable new connections while strengthening existing ones."