Hakkasan Abu Dhabi head sommelier Deepak Elangovan waltzed away with the Caterer Middle East Sommelier of the Year award.
“I come from a country where we don't drink wine, but eat grapes. I started working with wine when I came to Dubai, and I am very happy that I got to study all the wine courses for free. I was always motivated by my fellow sommeliers as well, [which helped me get to where I am today],” Elangovan said.
Elangovan started his career with One & Only Royal Mirage, following a move to Sofitel Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
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In August 2013, he joined Hakkasan Abu Dhabi and was promoted as head sommelier in March 2015.
He added: “Hakkasan is a hub to learn about wine and to develop skills, and the most important is how you involve yourself. It's a big ocean out there, and I'm a small drop in it [with some other great sommeliers]. I still have a long way to go as I continue to develop my skills."
The outlet credits Elangovan with developing a bond with the executive chef Andrew Lee ‘to a new level’, enabling them to develop new concepts with success. Hakkassan say unlike other hospitality outlets in the region, the relationship with the kitchen is of the utmost importance to its operations.
The judges recognised the fact that Elangovan has managed to forge strong relationships with suppliers, enabling him to develop a wide selection of new wines and categories within the outlet’s menu.
He said: “To develop a close relationship, you need to be curious about the product. There are five suppliers with a lot of collections and selections, obviously the door should be open for us as a company to be supported."
Elangovan said he takes a tough stance when it comes to exclusivity. "I am a tough guy, it's very strict. Hakkasan also has a large selection of special imports. Sometimes I select wines from the suppliers' portfolio, and unlike Dubai there are a lot more retail shops. And I cannot convince my clients to buy a bottle from me for more than they would from those stores. So, I make sure I do not list that product."
The award was presented by George Hardin, commercial project manager of MMI international. Narrowly missing out on the 2016 honours was Eric Eybert of Okku Dubai.
Click here to see which other sommeliers were shortlisted for this award.
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