The Sake Sommelier Association (SSA) and Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS) have released the names of the six sake sommeliers who made it through to the semi-final of this year’s Sake Sommelier of the Year competition based on an initial written questionnaire.
These include: Jean-Paul Choi, Origami Restaurant, Belvaux, Luxembourg; Deepak Elangovan, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, UAE; Miguel A. Hernandez, HKK, London, UK; Raku Oda, Yashin Ocean House, London, UK; Noel Pusch, Zuma Abu Dhabi, UAE; and, Andrew Rohm, BLT Steak, Trump International Hotel, Hawaii, USA.
Pusch told Caterer Middle East: “I am extremely thrilled to be among the top six sake sommeliers in the world, representing Zuma Abu Dhabi and competing against leading global sommeliers.
“Sake, a beautiful fermented alcoholic drink that best represents the Japanese cuisine and beverage culture, is being increasingly noticed internationally with each passing day. Personally, I see myself as a bridge between the product and my guest, between the Japanese culture and the culture I work in. The thought of rubbing shoulders and interacting with sake professionals from UK, USA, UAE and Luxembourg is exciting to say the least.”
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Elangovan said to Caterer: “I’m delighted to have made the semi-final and to be representing Hakkasan against some impressive competition. The next stage will be a real test of our knowledge and tasting skills but I feel that my experience and training at Hakkasan has prepared me.”
The semi-finalists will attend the semi-final and final being held at London’s Westbury Hotel on November 24. Amongst the tasks they will complete in front of a judging panel are blind tastings, food matching tests and an error on a sake list.
From the six just three will be chosen to compete in the final in front of an audience of invited guests with the name of the winner announced at the end of the afternoon.
The Sake Sommelier of the Year competition is organised by the AFWS in association with the UK-based SSA and sponsor Gekkeikan, one of the world’s oldest and finest sake producers.
The winner of this competition, the only one of its kind held outside Japan, will win the top prize of a fantastic five-day, fully funded trip to Japan, worth around £5000 (US $8013). The trip includes the opportunity to take the SSA’s Advanced Sake Sommelier Course, visiting and working in sake breweries.
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