The organisers of the first ever Sake Sommelier of the Year competition to be held outside Japan have announced the five sommeliers who have made it through to the semi-finals out of over 50 entries received from sommeliers as far and wide as Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The five semi-finalists are:
- Barry McCaughley (Chotto Matte, London W1)
- Jean-Louis Naveilhan (Sumosan, London W1)
- Jonathan Beagle (Yashin Sushi and Bar, London W8)
- Rajan Rengasamy (Spinneys, UAE)
- Sam Tse (Hong Kong Wine Academy, Hong Kong)
The competition was launched this year by the Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) in association with the London-based Sake Sommelier Association and sponsor Gekkeikan, one of the world’s oldest and finest sake producers.
All competitors completed a questionnaire and two essay-based questions, with the top-scoring sommeliers making it through to the semi final.
The semi final and final of the competition will be held on 11 November 2013 at London’s Westbury Hotel and will involve a presentation, a food pairing test, a service task, and a blind tasting.
The winner will receive a fully funded trip to Japan to take the five-day Sake Sommelier Association Advanced Sake Sommelier course.
If you would like to attend the final stages of competition, which starts at 2pm, please email manager@sakesommelierassociation.com with your details. The winner will be announced at 4.30pm, when a taru of sake will be opened and sushi canapés will be served to the audience.
The Sake Sommelier Association (SSA) is the first and only organisation to offer sake education In the UK. Candidates passing the Introductory Sake Professional and Certified Sake Sommelier become sake sommeliers, a certificate accredited by the SSA.
Visit www.afws.co.uk/events or sakesommelieroftheyear.com for further details