The Academy of Food and Wine is a not for profit Social Enterprise, membership organisation and is the Professional body for Front of House Service Personnel focusing on improving the quality of personnel and the image of Front of House Service as a meaningful career choice. Affiliated to the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, the Academy of Food & Wine is the official professional body for Sommeliers working in the UK. The Academy was formed some 20 years ago, in 1988 and evolved out of the old Guild of Sommeliers with a new mission to develop the level of service skills in both food and wine service in the UK. Since then the Academy has become nationally recognised as the Industry’s leading voice for raising standards and the delivery of food and wine service skills. With the growth and change in food and wine service, the role of training and its importance, is constantly in need of being redefined. The Academy’s approach is to work closely with all the key stakeholders in the market and utilise their skills and experience where necessary for the benefit of the industry as a whole, rather than constantly trying to re-invent the wheel and duplicating effort. We at the Academy certainly do not believe in Ego Trips!