Benoît Couderé, head sommelier (wine waiter) at ‘De Karmeliet’ restaurant in Bruges, was named “Best Sommelier in Belgium” on Sunday, coming in ahead of Joery De Lille, from Ghent’s Hoorseele restaurant and Jasper Van Papeghem from the Hostellerie L'Esco (Wetteren). Benoît Couderé came in second last year, behind Antoine Lehebel from Villa Lorraine. Jasper Van Papeghem was third.
The competition is organised by the Prosper Montagné Gourmet Club, the Flemish Sommeliers Association and the Sommeliers Guild of Belgium. The 3 finalists stood out from the other competitors during the semi-final pitting 10 challengers against each other.
The 3 finalists were tested and judged by an 18-member jury including Paolo Basso who currently holds the title of “Best Sommelier in the World”.
Benoît Couderé will represent Belgium at the prestigious triennial world competition in Argentina in April 2016.
(Source: Belga)
