The Fat Duck restaurant has won yet another prestigious award to keep its three Michelin stars company on Heston’s mantlepiece. But this time it is a staff member, not the super chef himself, who has merited the prize.

The restaurant’s head sommelier, Isa Bal was named Best Sommelier in Europe by l’Association de la Sommellerie International (ASI)

The annual competition, which took place in Bulgaria last month, saw entrants from 30 countries going nose to nose for the title.

The competitors were judged on three main skills: decanting technique, ability to indentify wine varieties and vintages, and flair for recommending a suitable wine to different dishes.

With Bal – and his conk – safely back in Bray, plonk remains firmly off the menu and nobody will sniff at the wine list. Another triumph for Heston and co. Now, which wine complements fat duck..?