Star sommelier scoops national award
HE’S the toast of the nation – putting Birmingham’s fantastic food and drink scene once again in the spotlight.
Sonal Clare, restaurant manager and sommelier at Michelin-starred Purnell’s, in Cornwall Street, has received the Best Sommelier award at the GQ Food and Drink Awards 2018.
Mr Clare, a well-known face on the Birmingham foodie scene, was at the lavish ceremony at London’s Rosewood Hotel to receive the award.
His boss, celebrity chef Glynn Purnell, said: “These awards are renowned in the hospitality business and set the standard for the very best of the British food and beverage industry.
“This is a huge accolade for Sonal, and the entire Purnell’s team is thrilled for him.
“Sonal has worked for me at Purnell’s for ten years and he puts 100 per cent into every service. I am so proud of his achievement. It is testament to his dedication, hard work and expertise.
“He fully deserves the recognition. He is a massive part of the Purnell’s family, an amazing restaurant manager and a superb sommelier.”
Judge Nieves Barragan, owner and executive head chef of London’s Sabor Restaurant, said: “It is very important that a sommelier works together with a kitchen, and knows every course on the menu, and that is why Sonal is a fantastic sommelier. He is a wonderful representative of everything that a true sommelier should be.”
Mr Clare, who first joined Purnell’s as a waiter in 2008, said: “I couldn’t have even dreamed about being in this position without the support of Glynn Purnell and all the team at the restaurant over the years.”
The 34-year-old studied at UCB, gaining a qualification in hospitality and food management in 2006, then managed restaurants in Ireland before returning to Brum.
“Glynn had just opened Purnell’s so I sent in my CV,” he said. “I wanted to be back in Birmingham but I wanted to be at a Michelin-starred restaurant. I had to start at the bottom as a waiter at Purnell’s, but I knew it was a massive opportunity and one too good to miss.”