The Sommelier Cru Team

Emma Bland
Business Manager

Favourite restaurant: La Daroles, Auch
Recommended food/wine pairing: Tarte Aux Pruneaux with Muscat de Rivesaltes (my favourite wine for aperitif or dessert whatever the weather!)
Wine most likely to drink on a Sunday evening: Abbotts Cumulus Minervois

An experienced On Trade manager, Emma has managed gastro pubs, restaurants and owned a café bar before joining Sommelier Cru. Her career began in a small independent restaurant specialising in European fusion food and great wines served in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. After a ‘gap’ year travelling throughout Australia and SE Asia Emma returned to England to manage a gastro pub along side Raymond Blanc trained chefs.

Most recently Emma owned and managed a café bar seconded to a health club where she strived to provide healthy and well-balanced home made food and drinks made from organic and fair-trade products and made quite a reputation for her home made cakes and pastries. Her noteworthy cuisine coupled with her thorough event management enabled her to develop the café to a turnover of 200k pa.

She joined Sommelier Cru in November 2009 to expand on her knowledge and interest in the wine trade and gain experience from the other side of the business. Emma has a BA (Hons) in English Literature & Philosophy from The University of Sheffield.