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
