From the entries received, three teams will be selected to compete at the live national finals on Monday 28 September at Orrery by Pierre Minotti in Marylebone. Competitors will have the chance to present their menu to an esteemed panel of judges, in front of an audience of industry leaders and media professionals.
Chef Pierre Minotti who recently became Executive Chef at Orrery by Pierre Minotti having achieved 2 Michelin stars at Alex Dilling at the Hotel Café Royal, Spanish sommelier Julio Sierra, Wine Buyer & Head Sommelier at Orrery by Pierre Minotti, will join 2024 Copa Jerez UK winning sommelier Zoé Donadio on the judging panel, chaired by drinks expert and restaurant writer Douglas Blyde.
César Saldaña, president of the Consego Regulador de Jerez y Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda, says: ’We are absolutely thrilled to launch our UK competition and announce that Orrery by Pierre Minotti will be the home of the XII Copa Jerez UK Finals 2026. We would like to thank Orrery and chef Pierre Minotti for hosting this year’s competition. Their impressive wine programme and commitment to creative cuisine of the highest standard reflect the spirit of Copa Jerez perfectly.’
Looking back on the competition’s legacy, he added: “For over two decades, Copa Jerez has championed innovation and excellence, encouraging chefs and sommeliers to collaborate and explore the remarkable pairing potential of Sherry wines. The UK has consistently delivered outstanding creativity, and we look forward to seeing what this year’s teams will bring.”
The winning UK team will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Jerez, where they will represent Britain in the International Grand Final of the XII Copa Jerez in June 2027. The event forms part of the Copa Jerez Forum & Competition, widely recognised as the world’s leading gastronomic congress dedicated to Sherry wines.
In addition, the two runner-up teams will be awarded places on the prestigious Certified Sherry Educator Course in Jerez in 2027—a three-day immersive programme culminating in the opportunity to gain the highly regarded Sherry Educator qualification.
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