Announcing the 2018 U.S. Copa Jerez Competition

The search for the best Sherry matches in the United States are underway!

Copa Jerez is a world renowned competition that celebrates the chef/sommelier teams who create exceptional food and Sherry pairings. The international competition has representatives from Spain, the United Kingdom, Holland, Germany, the United States, Denmark, and Belgium.

We’re looking for chef and sommelier teams who are passionate about sherry wine and would like the chance to represent the USA at the International Competition in Jerez, Spain in 2019. Teams do not have to work at the same restaurant in order to qualify.

Each team must present the best marriage of a gastronomic menu with the wines of the Jerez region, with three courses — a starter, main course, and dessert.  Teams may select any style of Sherry to match with each course, but no more than two wines can be from a single bodega. A full list of rules can be found here: Rules and Regulations

The U.S. National Finals will be held in New York City on December 4th from 11am to 4pm at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, located at 225 Liberty Street. During the live finals, an elite judging panel with experience and expertise in Sherry, wine pairing, and the culinary arts, will evaluate the dishes based on presentation, marriage of Sherry and food, and the most articulate description and knowledgeable explanation of the match.  Past judges have included Juan Mari Arzak, Juli Soler, Jancis Robinson, MW, Pontus Elofsson, Jordi Roca, Heston Blumenthal, and our own Julian Serrano, Michael Franz, and Doug Frost MS, MW.

Click here for a list of winning pairings from past competitions.

ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN Monday, November 19th, 2018. 

Submit your proposal now.