These finalists will compete for the Sommelier of the Year 2012 title in the Hotelier Middle East Awards to be held on October 31 at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC.

Below you will find extracts and testimonials from the shortlisted nominations for each of the candidates...

Maria Braun, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Story continues below
Advertisement

About Maria
Maria started her career as a food & beverage trainer with Hotel de la Paix (Geneva) in 2006. In 2007 she continued her internships at the ‘St Regis Mardavall Hotel in Spain and the ‘Le Meridian Hotel in Stuttgart, Germany. Maria attended the Swiss Hotel Management School in Leysin, Switzerland and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in hospitality & events management. Due to the high standard of excellence in her studies she was awarded the ‘Outstanding Graduate’ as recognition of her work. She continued her internship at the ‘Le Mirador Kempinski’ in Switzerland as a food & beverage management trainee from 2009-2010. She joined Atlantis the Palm in Dubai as an assistant sommelier in Sea fire Steakhouse in 2010. She was also promoted to a sommelier assistant manager in Ossiano.

Above and beyond the call of duty…
Six months after joining the Seafire Team as Team leader sommelier, Maria achieved a reduction of stock holding of 17% from her joining date . She restructured the wine list presentation with introduction of dynamic towards Sommelier monthly selection based on Slow Moving categories, related to grapes varieties to enhance the sales of these categories for more than 40%, this demonstrates a great knowledge of viticulture. She revamped the WBTG selection to drive sales mix mixing premium wine and entry level in order to have a better control of beverage cost that is at the date of today below 2011 achieved and below 2012 budget. Maria created in her free time a training program for the Ossiano service team with weekly training session covering all beverages from basic wine knowledge to spirits, liqueurs and more to improve product knowledge, up-selling and Maria assisted on various occasions other departments and Events (including VIP Services as Butler and in events for the Royal family). Successfully achieved developed, implemented and trained the staff for digital menu to and improve and enhance the customer experience at the restaurant.

Testimonials for Maria

“Nominating and praising Maria is to consider a young, dynamic enthusiastic professional. A sharp eye for detail, a meticulous approach to administration and stock management, blended with a delicate approach and consideration for both internal and external guests. Maria’s knowledge and interest for the wine industry, hospitality solutions, and new technology was crucial in the process of implementing the electronic tablet menu to improve the customer experience in Ossiano. She developed the project from research to implementation. She is also very involved in supporting her team’s development through coaching and mentoring their growth and knowledge. Maria is simply one of the best young professionals that I have met during my 31 years in the beverage industry.” Jean Marc A. Vettesi, director beverage Atlantis the Palm Dubai.

“We have spent the better part of the last 1 year working together in Atlantis the Palm Dubai and it has been a true pleasure to have you as a sommelier and to know you as a friend. You not only played the part of being a sommelier but have also been a mentor for me personally. I was able to increase my knowledge of a number of things including wine and cocktail knowledge, managing people and various other tasks related to managing the bar because of your presence. You showed us the way in terms of best practices to be followed in the bar and kept us up to date with your various trainings. You taught me and my team how to remain calm in difficult situations and how to make the best out of them. You have been a source of inspiration for me and my career. I thank you for being part of our team and taking us to new heights.” Royston D’Costa and Ossiano team, Team Leader Ossiano.