United Kingdom

Audrey Annoh-Antwi

Audrey is a British sommelier working at Planque restaurant in London – ‘a wine drinkers’ clubhouse’. Audrey is a great believer that “representation (in the wine industry) matters”, and thus ameliorating diversity and inclusion in wine has always been a motivation for her career. As she elegantly expresses it: “One of the most magical aspects of wine comes from its diversity of grapes, wine styles and where it is produced. I believe it would be even better if this abundance was also reflected in the ethnicities involved from producer to the consumer.” Audrey works as an ambassador for the non-profit organisation and our grantee Be Inclusive Hospitality, a group who aims to accelerate racial equity in the hospitality industry. She believes that “you cannot be, what you cannot see”, and thus her visibility as a Woman of Colour in the wine industry is very important as it allows her to be “an exemplar that this (being a wine professional) is possible to achieve” for other People of Colour seeking to enter the industry. Audrey feels that by gaining the MW qualification, it will allow her to increase her positive visibility as a Person of Colour in the wine world, granting her access to “more avenues” and allowing her to “further promote inclusivity”. Being very much in touch with and proud of her Ghanaian heritage, Audrey also feels that her participation in the MW programme will position her ideally as a “guide and prospective mentor” for aspiring wine professionals of Ghanaian heritage, whether they reside in Ghana or in the UK.