Caterer Awards '17 shortlist: Sommelier

Find out which six sommeliers made the shortlist this year for the Caterer Awards 2017.

Brendon Charles
Okku Dubai 

Charles, originally from Trinidad and Tobago has learned from some of the city’s best sommeliers, namely, Alex Arestides of the Cave Wine Bar and at Hakkasan under Olivier Gasselin, before joining Okku Dubai.

Abhijit Hati
Cave, Conrad Dubai    

After completing Alliance Françoise DELF A1 course, Hati joined Conrad Dubai as an assistant manager. Hati also obtained certification in an advanced sommelier course at WSET in 2013.

Lorenzo Abussi
Rüya Dubai    

Before working for Rüya Abussi was employed as head sommelier at Marina Social Dubai. He continues to explore his passion for tasting, having obtained Oil Sommelier, Flair Art and Cigar tasting certificates.

Abhishek Rai    
Rare Wood Fire Grill, Desert Palm Per Aquum  

In 2012, Rai joined the team at Desert Palm as a waiter in the property’s signature restaurant Rare. From there he has grown, resulting in his promotion to junior sommelier for the hotel.

Isaac Adam
La Tablita, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights

Adam moved to the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights from Mexico, becoming the manager of La Tablita Mexican restaurant in January 2016.

Sourav Dutta
Izakaya, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai    

Dutta joined Izakaya as a dedicated sake server with the perseverance and goal to increase beverage sales and educate customers on the traditional, age-old Japanese beverage.