CHAIRMAN/CONSUL

George (as he is universally known in the “trade”) came in 1968 from Poland to Manchester holding a Diploma in Hotel & Catering Management. His UK career began at the famous The Midland Hotel, in Manchester, where he remained for some 14 years, utilising and developing his considerable knowledge of wine and food. George subsequently held senior posts at well known gastronomic and wine venues in and about Manchester including some 6 years, as Food & Beverage Services Manager at the by-then refurbished The Midland Hotel under the Crowne Plaza banner.

From 1986 to 2011 George served as Chairman of the Manchester Guild of Sommeliers, personally winning awards, as a finalist, in the Champagne Ruinart (in collaboration with the Academy of Food & Wine) UK Sommelier of the year Competition. He now serves as a Judge of this prestigious competition. In 1999 George was awarded the Dom Pérignon Award for Excellence for services to the Hotel & Catering Industry by the Academy.

His links with, and membership of, wine and food organisations are far too numerous to list in this profile but, having been a member of the OCC since 1985 George was invested as Consul for the North of the United Kngdom in 2013 and, from January 2014, is now the leader of our North GB Consulate.

HONORARY TREASURER

I am a retired lawyer, who became a member of the L'Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne in 2005. I had long enjoyed the delights of this wonderful beverage and had undertaken visits to the Champagne Region including leading one for a group from the International Wine & Food Society (Manchester Branch). I have many other vinous interests which include the wines of Bordeaux (being the Cellar-master of the Manchester branch of la Commanderie de Bordeaux) and those of the Rhône and Loire Valleys. I have managed to pass on my love of champagne to both my adult children - my son and daughter-in-law are regular visitors to the region and purchasers there of the wines.

HONORARY SECRETARY

Darren started attending our champagne dinners as a guest in 2012, the year he also achieved a pass with distinction at the Advanced WSET (Level 3) examination.

As a regular guest attendee Darren became a Chevalier of the L’Ordre des Coteaux at our 40th Anniversary dinner on 2nd December 2013. Since then Darren has attended most of our events and as attended three of the Ordres investiture events in Reims in 2014, 2016 & 2018.

In conjunction with wife Jacky, Darren has set up and maintains this web site and Facebook page.

Darren's continued support of the order lead to him joining the committee and being promoted to Officier in November 2016.

Darren took of the role of Honorary Secretary in the summer of 2018 and was promoted to Chamberlain in October 2018.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Ross was always destined to work in the drinks industry with a father who worked for Scottish and Newcastle Breweries for over 25 year and a grandfather and great grandfather who were publicans.

Ross started his career wanting to be an accountant and after roles at Liverpool Wine Merchants Scatchard’s and pub group Brunning & Price realised that he wanted to work with wine. After spending five and a half years at Treasury Wine Estates, in 2011 Ross joined Champagne Lanson where he has had a number of roles, most recently as a National Account Manager in the off-trade.

Ross enjoys all things food and drink and joined the committee in 2016 taking responsibility for sourcing Champagnes for our dinners

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Jacky has worked in burns for over 35 years. Following her retirement, she is still as busy as she leads a national programme for surgical wounds and works one day a week as the Lead Nurse for Burns in the North of England. She represents Burn Care at a number of national events and has been Nursing Times, Nurse of the Year.

Jacky is also a cat breeder and breeds and shows Maine Coon cats. She is the Chairman of the Maine Coon Cat Club and organises their annual show

Jacky has long been interested and involved in Champagne, developing a liking for Krug and Gossett in the early 2000’s. She started to attend the Ordre Des Coteaux dinners in 2012 alongside her now husband Darren. For many years Jacky has in the background helped the Ordre with their website and more recently has joined the Committee as their Social Media Secretary.

Jacky has travelled to Reims on a number of occasions and attended several of the Ordre dinners in France.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Chris’s love for Champagne developed rapidly after visiting the Champagne region in 2019, touring Champagne houses and cellars, learning about the history of Champagne and the méthode champenoise, getting hands on with some Champagne blending and of course tasting lots of Champagne.

He attended his first OCC event in 2021, was invested as a Chevalier of the L’Ordre des Coteaux in 2022 and joined the Manchester delegation on a highly enjoyable and educational trip to Reims the same year. Subsequently he has joined the committee, bringing his experience of chairing two branches of the Nuclear Institute including planning and hosting events.

Chris is looking forward to supporting the branch in creating exciting events to grow the membership of the Ordre.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

I have worked with wines and champagnes for around 20 years, with time spent working in both France and Australia. I currently work for Terroir et Vignerons de Champagne in the UK, as a Wine Development Manager, managing sales and distribution of Nicolas Feuillatte and Castelnau Champagnes. I have achieved my WSET diploma and I am currently working towards my WSG Champagne Masters. I love drinking Champagne and due to my work, I am fortunate that I get to travel to the region a number of times each year! I joined the OCC in 2023 and was invested at the 50th anniversary dinner in Manchester. I was delighted to be asked to join the committee and look forward to being able to source some exciting Champagne’s for future events.