In 1985, Paul Milsom, an undergraduate studying Hotel and Catering Management, read an article by Kit Chapman in the Career and Hotelkeeper, in which he criticised his University for the lack of a Food and Wine Society for students. This prompted Paul to write to Kit and suggest that he would set the society up if Kit would give his help and support to the cause. This he readily did and thus the Society was created.

Kit spent the following 21 years as President of the Society which flourished under his wing. By recommending his friends in the Industry, and recruiting them to the Board of Friends, every year the student committee has been able to arrange a variety of fascinating and exciting visits to some of the most fantastic venues across the UK, and even venturing abroad; and experiencing the heart of this great Industry, namely fine food, fine wine and outstanding hospitality.

In 2007, Kit sadly decided to retire as President of the society after his 21 year tenure but it was with great pleasure that the society welcomed back Paul Milsom to assume the role of President after initiating the society and acting as vice president for a number of years. Since taking on the role, Paul has added a number of his own Industry contacts to the ever-growing Board of Friends, and has taken a very active role in the operation of the society, mantaining it's proud history, whilst building on it's successes and developing further into the 21st Century.

We are constantly searching for hoteliers and restaurateurs who would be willing to accommodate a group of our students, and who might be interested in a position on our Board of Friends.

If you have previously been a member of the Food & Wine Society, and would like to keep in contact with us, then sign up to our Mailing List for special periodic updates.

If you would like any further information regarding the University of Surrey Food & Wine Society, please do not hesitate to contact us.