From hypokhâgne to award-winning sommelier: Stéphanie Hug's incredible career path

Stéphanie Hug, head sommelier at La Bartavelle restaurant, which she runs with her husband Thibaut Lesage, was awarded the Trophée Sommelière Trophy on Monday April 13, 2026, at the Gault&Millau Tour Occitanie-Andorre, held at Domaine de la Trinité in Mauguio. The award, presented by Sébastien Kargul of Interbeaujolais and Kévin Berthon of His de Rougié, highlights the excellence of Stéphanie Hug's committed sommelier skills.

From hypokhâgne to the restaurant business

While her parents devoted themselves to careers in medicine (father a doctor, mother a nurse), Stéphanie chose an entirely different path. After studying mathematics, hypokhâgne and khâgne, and sociology, young Stéphanie Hug decided to pursue a passion she'd had since adolescence: cooking. She enrolled at the Perpignan Hotel School to obtain a BTS in catering. Alongside her husband Thibaut Lesage, she opened her restaurant Le Bartavelle in Argelès in 2011. A wine enthusiast, she then trained in oenology.

A passion she passes on to her customers

now sommelier at the restaurant she runs with her husband in the Pyrénées-Orientales, Stéphanie Hug was awarded the Trophée Sommelière at the Gault&Millau Tour Occitanie-Andorre. This lover of knowledge enthusiastically passes on her passion for wines and vines to her customers. Today, her commitment and expertise have led her to receive a distinction in recognition of her work. She has turned her knowledge of wines into a real strength, and offers a committed menu rooted in her terroir.