“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.”
That’s how César Saldaña, president of the Consego Regulador de Jerez y Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda introduces the start of Copa Jerez 2026, organised by Sherry Wine, and the chance to reward the best chef and sommelier teams for their efforts.
Entries are now open for UK chef and sommelier teams to create a three-course menu that they believe pairs perfectly with different styles of Sherry. The challenge is there for the teams to come up with the most innovative courses that both showcase their technical skill and creative flair, but also their understanding of Sherry and how it pairs best with food.
From the entries a final three teams will be invited to take part in UK awards to be held on September 28 at Orrery by Pierre Minotti in Marylebone in London in London. There they will be create their dishes and present them to an esteemed panel of judges, in front of an audience of industry leaders and media professionals.
The judges for the UK competition include: chef Pierre Minotti, the new 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 and head sommelier at Orrery; and 2024 Copa Jerez UK winning sommelier Zoé Donadio. The panel is chaired by drinks consultant 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."
The UK finals will be held at Orrery by Pierre Minotti in Marylebone in London
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.
The two runner-up teams will be awarded places on the 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.
Over the past two decades, UK finalists have included teams from prestigious restaurants. The 2024 UK finals were won by chef Will Stoyle from Silo and sommelier Zoé Donadio from Apricity. The previous years saw teams from Dinings Restaurant (2022), The River Café (2020), and Texture (2018) go through to the international finals in Jerez.
* Chefs and sommeliers interested in taking part can download an entry pack here. Entries can be submitted until midnight July 22.
To find out more follow @sherrywinesjerez #copajerez #sherrylover.
