Sommelier Award not sniffed at by Burj's Mircea

Mircea Anca Bogdan, wine sommelier, Al Mahara Restaurant Burj Al Arab took home the Sommelier of the Year Award at last night’s Caterer Middle East Awards, which took place at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.

Combining technical knowledge with an approachable attitude makes a big impression on custoers and a sommelier can greatly improve guest experience of any high quality dining establishment.

The judges were impressed by Bogdan's career path and his ability to handle a huge inventory at one of the most prestigious hotels in the world.

Commenting on his achievements, Bogdan said: "Handling 800 labels is a big responsibility and I’m taking it as it is, working extra hours because it’s not easy. Apart from the master wine list we have two or tjhree smaller outlets which we use a reduced wine list so I need to keep a track of all of them – so vintages, prices, price changes etc. It’s heavy but it’s worth it.”

Having started out 10 years ago as a bellboy, Bogdan climed his way up the ranks and now handles a wine list of more than 800 references.

Looking to the future, Bogdan believes the Award will provide "a big push" for his career. "I want to move on from sommelier to head sommelier but anything I do will be related to wine. My studies were related to wine, I did a masters in wine making and now I’m now preparing for my advanced exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, which will be November in Austria so that’s plenty of studying, plenty of blind tastings to do, which is really tough."

The judging process was tough, and runner up for this Award was Olivier Gasselin of Hakkasan Dubai.

The other nominees were Alex Arestides, Conrad Dubai, Clement Antoine Francois Duplay, Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire, Eric Eybert, Okku Dubai, and Oskar Skoog, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.

The Sommelier of the Year Awards was presented by George Harding, commercial director from MMI.

The Caterer Middle East Awards were held at Atlantis, The Palm on June 10.

The gala event was sponsored by category sponsors Figjam, TSSC, Ronai, Meat & Livestock Australia, MMI, Aramtec, Baqer Mohebi, IFFCO, Pristine Belgium, water sponsor Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, coffee sponsor Julius Meinl, and support sponsor Gourmet Olive Market.

Also present were photobooth sponsor Pod You Like and social media wall sponsor TintUp.