Claire Thevenot, from the Hotel du Vin et Bistro in Winchester, has been named Britain's best wine waiter. It is the first time a woman has won the Champagne Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year award. Traditionally it has been male-dominated profession. But around 180 of the 800 sommeliers in Britain are now female. The Observer 19/11/06 page 23

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