Stephen Barrett is now firmly established in the UK wine, food and travel writer's firmament. Stephen is also a long-time member of the exclusive Circle of Wine Writers and the Association of Wine Educators. He sits on the panel of judges of the renowned International Wine Challenge. With his partners Iain Ballantyne and Brian Attree he co-created and acted as consultant on the wine and food game shows, Wine Hunt on Channel 4 in 1998 and 2001.
He has contributed to BBC TV, BBC Radio Devon (He was the Saturday Morning Chef!) and ITV Westcountry. Amongst others Stephen has written regular wine columns for Plymouth Evening Herald (current) and Wine and Spirit and is currently writing (some occasional) wine and food columns for The Menu Guide, Yes Chef!, iPlymouth, Eat Out Devon, InPlymouth, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Magazine, Oracle, What's On in Plymouth and Signpost. In the past few years he acted as wine tutor and educator for the Supermarket giants Asda, Sainsburys, Somerfield and Safeway, conducting tutored wine tastings throughout the UK. Tutoring Scottish and Newcastle's managers on wine education and specialist Whisky tastings for Glenmorangie.
Stephen also writes occasional Travel, Wine and Food columns for the Western Morning News/The Herald and What's on in Plymouth.
In 2004 he founded Bistro One in Plymouth City Centre. He created and delivered lectures at Plymouth Adult Education: courses entitled 'Understanding Wine' later conducted @ Bistro One plus other selected locations. He has also acted as curator and lecturer at the University of Plymouth with repeated courses on Westcountry Wines and Food in 2005 and 2006.
Stephen was elected President of Torbay Wine Guild for the years 2002/3 and 2004/5.
In 2006 Stephen advised and tutored VIP clients of Brittany Ferries with a series of events aboard the flagship MV Pont Aven.
2009 onwards - Tutored Wine Tastings, Whisky and Wine Courses also held at Bistro One and The Nobody Inn at Doddiscombsleigh.
Tastings and Wine Events created for The University of Plymouth, City College Plymouth, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Marks and Spencer, Plymouth and Noss Mayo U3A are just a few of the clients who have hired Stephen's wine tasting services.
Stephen Barrett Wine Consultant - Customised programmes for Wine and Food Service (with plenty of practical hands-on tutelage) can be created for your Restaurant or Hotel staff. Recent clients include the Theatre Royal in Plymouth and City College Plymouth.
In 2011 Stephen joined forces with Graham Ruth from Brittany Ferries Golf Desk co-operating WineHolidays.net, specialists in European Destination Wine Holidays to France, Spain (Rioja and Ribera del Duero) and Portugal. Wine and Golf in Bordeaux.
We can arrange customised WineHolidays for parties of upwards of 20 persons to Loire, Provence, Chablis, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Rhone, Alsace, and Languedoc etc. Heritage and Wine Tours, Whisky in Scotland, Devon Wine Tours, Wine and Golf complete the itinerary. Stephen welcomes enquiries from private, business and charity based clients, Members of Wine Clubs, Rotary, U3A and similar bodies.
New for 2015 - Stephen Barrett is A Chef in Your Kitchen - a customised event for both new and previous clients providing a "Proper Chef's Service" in the location of your choice whether a private kitchen, mansion or castle, office or tented village! We are more than happy to quote. Wines also provided with tutelage on each wine matched.
Wine in the City - a new weekly wine column for Plymouth's Herald newspaper - now posted on line via Twitter @BistroWineMan or Facebook and Linkedin via Stephen Barrett
Wine and Food matching, Oyster-opening demonstration, How to carve Smoked Salmon, Wine and Seafood School etc are also all available via A Chef in Your Kitchen. We await your enquiry......
Catering Relief Management - whether holiday, event, start-up, restaurant or hotel based Stephen is able to offer short-term or fixed contract Catering Relief Management Service. This can incorporate staff training and consultancy, customised to clients specific requirements.
New - Pop - Up - The return of Tuesday Nite Wine Club - located at the community arts pub Bread & Roses offering in-depth Wine Tastings with a Bistro Supper - each month we explore regions, styles of wines and unusual varietals. Always funky never dull - limited to 20 tasters we look forward to seeing old friends and new at the Tasting Table. Please go to the Events Page for current info.