Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2016
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Current

Employment History

• Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (Royal Hospital Road, London); Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, London Maze by Gordon Ramsay; Hotel Louis C. Jacob, Hamburg

Birthplace

• Lüneburg, Germany

Education

• Trainee Baker at Stadtbaeckerei Glinde in Schleswig-Holstein, Apprenticeship in Restaurant Management at Hotel Louis C. Jacob in Hamburg

Languages Spoken

• English, German

Originally from Lüneburg in northern Germany, Jan Konetzki spent the early part of his career as a baker and bartender before indulging his passion for wine by training as waiter and a commis sommelier at Hotel Louis C. Jacob in Hamburg in 2004. “I knew I wanted to work in food and beverage from a young age. Originally, I was drawn to the idea of becoming a baker but I soon discovered that my real passion was wine.”

Jan started working in fine dining restaurants in Germany, Switzerland and Denmark alongside his training to develop his knowledge and experience the meticulous attention to detail and high service standards associated with restaurants of this level.

In 2007, Jan moved to London to work at Gordon Ramsay Holdings, progressing to the role of head sommelier within just one year of joining the flagship Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea. In the same year, Jan took the Court of Master Sommeliers advanced certificate, which he passed with distinction. “It’s important to keep learning and developing as a sommelier. Of course you talk about wine, but a large part of the role is also based on customer service and striving to ensure the best experience for your guests.”

Following seven years as head sommelier at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Jan began his current role as Director of Wine for Four Seasons London Hotel at Ten Trinity Square. He oversees the wine program for Chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s debut London venture La Dame de Pic London, as well as Asian restaurant Mei Ume, the Rotunda Bar and the Ten Trinity Square Private Club. As part of his role for the Ten Trinity Square Private Club, Jan also acts as an ambassador for Château Latour and Artemis Domains.

Frequently recognised by critics as one of Europe’s most talented sommeliers, Jan has achieved a number of accolades including Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2012, Harpers Best Sommelier 2013 and most recently, Sommelier of the Year 2018 by Wine List Confidential.

Outside of Ten Trinity Square, Jan’s passions and interests are firmly rooted in food and beverage, and this year he helped support the UK’s first food festival for those working in the hospitality industry.