New Head Sommelier at Le Cinq

PARIS. The Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris is starting a new chapter: since 16 February 2026, David Piquet has been at the helm of the sommelier team at the three Michelin-starred restaurant Le Cinq. The 32-year-old exceptional sommelier is following in the footsteps of the iconic director and head sommelier Éric Beaumard, who shaped the establishment for decades. Working alongside three-star chef Christian Le Squer, Piquet will lead a team of six and continue Le Cinq's exceptional wine culture.

David Piquet comes from the Toulouse region and grew up in a family where cuisine and shared meals were of particular importance. Sunday dinners with the family, the aromas from his grandmother's kitchen and exchanges with local winegrowers shaped his early appreciation for high-quality products and authentic craftsmanship. The move into the hotel industry was an obvious decision for him, where he discovered the world of service. However, he developed a particular passion for wine. He quickly realised that excellent service is inextricably linked to in-depth knowledge and a deep understanding of the origin, character and history of a wine. Through close dialogue with winemakers, he deepened his knowledge and sharpened his palate. In doing so, he realised that wine is much more than a luxury food. It is an expression of terroir, tradition and passion. This realisation strengthened his decision to pursue a career as a sommelier.

At the age of 21, David Piquet moved to Lancashire near Manchester to improve his English and gain international wine expertise. At Northcote Manor, he worked in a multicultural environment where he further developed his tasting technique and honed his professional precision. After returning to France, he worked as assistant head sommelier at the three Michelin-starred restaurant Les Prés d'Eugénie from 2017 to 2018. He then moved to the Christophe Bacquié restaurant. His professional expertise and presence in service led to his move to La Villa Madie in 2019 under chef Dimitri Droisneau, with the clear goal of leading the restaurant to its third Michelin award. As Head Sommelier, David Piquet was responsible for the further development of the wine programme and the service experience. In 2022, La Villa Madie was awarded its third Michelin star. The following year, Gault & Millau named him "Sommelier of the Year" in the PACA region. In addition, the wine list he was responsible for was awarded the "Wine List of the Year 2024" prize by the Guide Lebey.

In 2025, the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris approached David Piquet to succeed Éric Beaumard, the long-standing director of Le Cinq and a formative figure in the international wine world, who retired a few months later.

"Being appointed Director of Wine at Le Cinq is the position of a lifetime," says David Piquet. "It is a great honour to be part of such a legendary establishment as the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, and to continue the work of important figures who have shaped this hotel over decades. The George V is regarded worldwide as a benchmark in sommellerie, as is the extraordinary legacy left by Éric Beaumard. I see this new role as a commitment to the highest quality and a challenge to continue to exceed the expectations of our guests."

In his new role at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, David Piquet aims to further develop the sommellerie at Le Cinq and place even greater emphasis on imparting knowledge and experience. In doing so, he will remain faithful to the wine list and its style established by his predecessor.

"What drives me every day is the exchange and transfer of knowledge. Every encounter, every tasting and every conversation with winemakers or guests broadens my perspective on wine," says David Piquet. "At Le Cinq, my aim is not to surpass anything, but to create unique experiences that combine expertise and emotion, allowing guests to experience the role of wine in the restaurant in a holistic way."

He describes his collaboration with Christian Le Squer as one of mutual respect and trust: "The chef has played a key role in shaping the culinary identity of Le Cinq. I see my task as interpreting his cuisine through precisely matched wine pairings and delivering this experience to our guests at the highest level."