Victor Ferreira of Boisdale of Belgravia was crowned the UK Habano Sommelier Champion for 2009. The final was held at Hunters & Frankau’s London head offices on Tuesday December 9th and the decision was unanimous.

In Victor’s favour was his strong written exam, detailed in-depth knowledge of Cuban cigars and exemplary cigar service . The prize is an all expenses paid trip to Cuba for the annual Cigar Festival and the considerable privilege of representing Great Britain in the Cigar Sommelier World Championship.

Ranald Macdonald, owner of the cigar-friendly Boisdale of Belgravia and Boisdale of Bishopsgate, said, “I am absolutely delighted that Victor has won this award.  Our staff are renowned for their whisky, wine and cigar expertise and it’s a real credit that two out of the four finalists were from Boisdale. I wish Victor the best of luck at the international competition in Havana.  His in-depth knowledge, skill and determination will, I am sure, carry him through the competition”.

The four finalists had to prove their specialist knowledge of Habanos cigars, selecting the most appropriate cigar for an occasion, the best corresponding spirits as well as demonstrating cutting and lighting skills.  In a staged scenario, Ferreira considered the merits of various Habanos cigars, including Romeo y Julieta and Bolivar, before making a choice recommendation to a fictitious couple celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.  He then selected their drinks to correspond with cigars.

A delighted Victor said of his upcoming challenge in Havana, “I am very competitive and when I go out there I will be going out to win. Now I need to do even more studying!”.

Like all rituals, the detail is important and a brief summary cannot do full justice.  Suffice it to say that speeches, a lot of standing up and sitting down, clapping, bagpipes, respect for the haggis and recitations of The Bard’s works are involved – all in strict order. The menu features favourite Scottish dishes and is washed down by good quantities of excellent whisky.

By nature the Scots are patriotic and many of them head north for a traditional Burns Supper and wee dram of whisky.  This year however, to experience and appreciate the full glory of this merry celebration you don’t need to venture up to the Highlands.

Boisdale of Belgravia and Boisdale of Bishopsgate, Scotland’s principalities in London, will be featuring the legendary piper Pipe-Major Willie Cochrane and Scottish actor Brett Findlay, who will be reciting the Ode to a haggis in 18th century period costume as well as, not wanting to spoil the plot, stabbing (murdering!) the Haggis every night from Monday 18th January until Saturday 30th January 2010 at Boisdale Belgravia and Thursday 21st until Tuesday 26th at Boisdale of Bishopsgate.

Three set menus, featuring the finest Scottish ingredients including, amongst others, Hebridean salmon and langoustine, Mini roast Macsween haggis and the very best grass fed dry aged Aberdeenshire beef steaks will be available.  In keeping with tradition, a small noggin of Johnnie Walker whisky will be served with the haggis.  The menu options for parties include:

Boisdale of Belgravia

• Talisker 10 years old Burns Night Menu at £47.50 for four courses
• Talisker Distillers Editon Burns Night Menu at £55.00 for four courses
• Talisker 18 years old Burns Night Menu at £69.00 for four courses

Boisdale of Bishopsgate

• Talisker 10 years old Burns Night Menu at £38.50
• Talisker Distillers Editon Burns Night Menu at £59.50.

The full Burns Night ritual and special menus listed above can be provided for parties of eight or more.  The menu options for all other customers include a la carte selection or Johnnie Walker Green Burns Night Menu at £40 for three courses.

Please see www.boisdale.co.uk for full details or contact Boisdale of Belgravia on 020 7730 6922 or Boisdale of Bishopsgate on 020 7283 1763 to book your table.

It is one of the busiest times of the year at Boisdale so to join in the revelry, if not the reeling, book early!

A Christmas holidays special was amongst a series of exclusive ‘radio’ shows for Boisdale, which the Emperor Rosko prepared. In his true form,  Rosko compiled an eclectic blend of favourite Christmas songs and seasonal treasures from his own priceless archives including BB King, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Jo Stafford, Eartha Kitt and No Slade.

The shows have been sponsored by Glenfarclas, a company that is renowned for producing outstanding Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside style.  Brand Ambassador and sixth generation distillery Co-owner George S Grant said: “Boisdale is all about Scotland and Scotland is all about whisky; there is no better place in the UK for a fine Highland dram and soul stirring jazz and blues so I am immensely delighted to be able to bring ‘the King of all malt whiskies’ for the connoisseurs’ delectation to be enjoyed in an relaxing ambiance of the Boisdale bars”.

Happy Hour (6pm – 7pm) at Boisdale will now feature the special shows as an aural backdrop. Those clients lucky enough to be paying attention to the Emperor’s show in the restaurants will be suitably rewarded with a sizeable discount on their Glenfarclas whisky of choice when they mention the key words to the Boisdale barmen.

Since its launch by Ranald Macdonald in 1988, the Boisdale name has always been synonymous with high quality Scottish fare and hospitality that is accompanied by fine wines and whiskies.

The exclusive in-house Boisdale radio style programming is just the start of an exciting new project that will see the Boisdale group enter the radio market in 2010.

Stay tuned!

Linda

Just a quick note to say thanks for ensuring that our dinner was so successful last night. Despite the early start most of our guests stayed much later than I thought – in fact in the end we had to encourage them to leave. Feedback has been great and the food was exquisite! So thanks again to you and the team.

Best regards

Marcus

Just a note to say how much we enjoyed our excellent meal last Thursday. The quality of food and the standard of service was outstanding. We intend to return before long.

Phil

Just a thank you for all your efforts yesterday. I have had positive feedback from all that attended, lovely food and very good service as well from Roberto and the other waiters. Please thank them all from us.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Adrian