Three chef-sommelier teams reach Copa Jerez USA finals in New York

Copa Jerez has named three U.S. chef and sommelier teams that will compete Nov. 3 at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. The winner will represent the U.S. at the international final in Jerez, Spain, in June 2027.

Why it matters: - Copa Jerez is one of the most visible global competitions focused on Sherry and food pairing. - The U.S. winner will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Jerez, Spain, and a place in the international grand final in June 2027. - The event spotlights restaurant teams that can build a full menu around Sherry, not just a single pairing.

What happened: - Copa Jerez announced the three finalist teams for the Copa Jerez USA Finals on Nov. 3 at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. - The finalists are Common Thread in Savannah, Casa Mono in New York City, and Nudibranch in New York City. - Each team will prepare a three-course menu paired with Sherry and present it live to a five-member jury. - The winning team will represent the United States at Copa Jerez XII in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, in June 2027.

The details: - Common Thread’s team is Chef/Owner Brandon Carter and Wine Director Libby Burk. - Carter was a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. - Common Thread was named one of Bon Appétit’s 50 Best New Restaurants in 2022. - Burk was named a StarChefs Charleston-Savannah Rising Star Sommelier in 2024. - Burk began her wine career at The Grey in Savannah and now hand-selects every bottle at Common Thread. - Burk also oversees the wine lists at Strange Bird and Wildflower Cafe and runs a local wine club. - Casa Mono’s team is Executive Chef Jonathan Melendez and Beverage Director Andrew Bridges. - Casa Mono has held a Michelin star since 2009 and received a three-star New York Times review in 2015. - Bridges oversees a Spain-focused wine list of roughly 600 wines, including more than 70 Sherries. - Casa Mono’s wine program has earned Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence since 2008. - Nudibranch’s team is Chef/Owner Jeffrey Kim and Wine Director Sammi Schachter. - Nudibranch pairs Korean and Spanish flavors and was named one of Esquire’s best new restaurants in America in 2022. - Kim has cooked at Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Jua, Eleven Madison Park, and El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. - Schachter previously served as head sommelier at Cherry on Top in Bushwick. - Schachter oversees a 100-label list that earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. - Schachter’s list was singled out for strength in wines of France and the Iberian Peninsula. - The jury includes Lucas Paya, Pascaline Lepeltier, Eric Bolyard, Scott Carney, and Will Blunt. - Paya is the panel chair and is a sommelier, Certified Sherry Wine Educator, and author. - Lepeltier is a Master Sommelier and owner of Chambers. - Bolyard is chef and partner of La Compagnie. - Carney is a Master Sommelier and director of wine education at the Institute of Culinary Education. - Blunt is managing partner of StarChefs.

Between the lines: - The finalist list mixes high-profile New York restaurants with a Savannah restaurant that has built national recognition. - The competition rewards teams that can show both culinary range and deep Sherry knowledge. - The judging panel combines Sherry education, sommelier expertise, chef talent, and industry media experience.

What's next: - The three teams will compete live on Nov. 3 in New York City. - The winning team will travel to Jerez in June 2027 for the international final against seven other nations. - Copa Jerez says the international congress in Jerez is the largest gastronomic congress dedicated to Sherry. - More information and media requests go to Nicole Borden at nicole@starchefs.com. - The competition is organized by the Regulatory Council of the Denominations of Origin “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry” and “Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda” and FEDEJEREZ. - Copa Jerez includes national finals in eight countries: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The bottom line: - The Nov. 3 finals will decide which U.S. restaurant team gets the chance to compete for a global Sherry-and-food pairing title in Spain.