China National Sommelier Competition 2009
Qualifying Round 1st ASI Contest of the Best Sommelier of Asia-Oceania, Japan 2009
ASSOCIATION DE LA SOMMELLERIE INTERNATIONALE

RESULTS
The organizer is pleased to announce the following results and congratulates the winners:

Hans RJ Qu from the Intercontinental Shenzhen who Triumphed of the other finalists	All the finalists with the Judges
Hans RJ Qu being congratulated by Technical Director Mr. Tasaki and organizer, Mr. Tommy Lam	The competition included sections on written exams, blind tasting, decanting and food paring, wine knowledge and management and hospitality skills during a media lunch

CHINESE SOMMELIER COMPETITION SEEKS TO ADVANCE THE LEVEL OF WINE PROFESSIONALS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

In July 2009, China will see the launch of the first China National Sommelier Competition that will no doubt raise the standards and recognition of local wine professionals via an international platform. This event will be judged by international and local experts, based on regulations governed by the rules and constitutions of the ASSOCIATION DE LA SOMMELLERIE INTERNATIONALE (ASI), and The Finalist will represent China to compete with international peers at the 1st ASI Contest of the Best Sommelier of Asia-Oceania, Japan 2009. This competition will bring awareness and prestige to wine professionals in China and also provide a benchmark for the local industry. This comes at a timely period as China’s rising food and beverage standards have been creating more discerning tastebuds from savvy consumers – and whilst chefs have been getting the main limelight, the wine professionals are being largely neglected.

With the coming of the Sommelier Competition, which hopes to draw participants from various cities to the competitions in Beijing and Shanghai, things are set to change. Event organiser and Professor of the Wine Programme at the Tianjin University of Commerce, Mr. Tommy Lam observes that “there is an increasing demand for wine professionals here. I notice that Chinese people are drinking wine more often, especially in Chinese restaurants, but many do not know much about wines and wine pairing, so there is a gap here that needs to be filled. The China National Sommelier Competition will give people in the F&B industry a chance to improve their own skills and knowledge, whilst the good ones will realise how they stack up against international professionals.”

In line with the objective of advancing the wine education here, Mr. Lam also set up the Junior Sommelier Competition for under-25s, so that novice practitioners in the industry can also participate. Organisers hope to attract not only sommeliers, but also bartenders and others working with wine and beverages, and employers that want to affirm or improve their staffs’ expertise. Along with that, sponsors like Torres China, will sponsor trips to wineries in France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, USA, etc as invaluable learning experiences for all the finalists (every finalist will be awarded a trip to these world class wine regions).

With Asia Business Group, which is experienced in wine events and promotions, as its organising partner, this competition promises to be the landmark event for professionals in the wine industry. Interested parties can review the qualifying conditions at the website: www.asiawineinstitute.com and submit queries to stacey.choe@asia-businessgroup.com.

The deadline for applications is 3^rd June 2009, whilst the final round of selection is slated for 7^th July 2009, and finalists will then be trained in English and professional skills before their final presentation for the international competition in November.

How to Participate

Please download an APPLICATION FORM

THE COMPETITION

Date and Venue

Qualifying Round: in both Shanghai and Beijing: 10^th June
(venue: The Westin Bund Center Shanghai, Beijing: The Westin Beijing Chaoyang)

Finals: 7^th July in Shanghai
(venue: The Westin Bund Center Shanghai)

Conditions of participation:

1. This competition is open to Chinese Citizens currently working in wine services in Restaurant, Bar, Lounge and any Food and Beverage establishments in China for at least 1 year;
   OR
   foreign nationals who have worked in China in the wine service for 5 years consecutively.
2. If a Chinese candidate is currently not employed in China, he may still participate in the competition, but is not eligible to represent China in the ASI competition in Osaka.
3. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
4.  

Qualification Round:

• 50 multiple choice
• Blind tasting of 3 Liquids
•  

Final Round :

• 50 multiple choice and short essay questions 
• Wine list proof-reading
• Blind tasting of 5 Liquids
• Service (Lunch at restaurant settings)
• Decanting and Serving Sparkling Wine
• Blind tasting of 2 wines

For further information, please contact the Asia Business Group office: Contact person: Ms. Stacey Choe
Tel: 010-58287728
Fax: 010-58287720
Email: stacey.choe@asia-businessgroup.com

About the Organisers:

Mr. Tommy Lam is well-known in the international wine circuits as an established wine educator, and carries various accolades including:

• Wine MBA, Bordeaux Ecole de Management, France
• MBA University of Dubuque, USA
• Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Society of Wine Educator
• Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommelier
• Certified Trainer / Approved Program Provider (WSET : Wine and Spirit Education Trust, UK)

Professor and Director of the Wine Programmes:

• 中國 天津商業大學 葡萄酒科 教授
• Tianjin University of Commerce, China and Florida International University, USA (TUC-FIU)

Instructor and Program Developer, Vocational Training Council (VTC PEAK), SAR Hong Kong

• Professional Sommelier Certificate Courses (Apprentice. Qualified and Professional)
• International Wine Business Certificate (France, Italy, USA, Australia, Spain, Germany, S. Africa, S. America) Member

Organizer of :

Court of Master Sommelier Asia accreditation :

• 2007, 2008, and March 2009 Hong Kong and Singapore
• Certified Sommelier Accreditation, Introductory Sommelier Seminar and Exam

Society of Wine Educator

• Certified Wine Specialists, CSW Exam, February and June 2009 Hong Kong and Singapore

Institute of Master of Wine

• Master Class and Course Seminar 19 October 2008 Singapore

Tommy is also :

President of :
Sommelier Association of Singapore
Society of Wine Educator Hong Kong Chapter
Society of Wine Educator Singapore Chapter
Academy of Wine Singapore
Asia Wine Institute

Member of :
Academy of Food and Wine Service UK (Member)
Commandarie de Bordeaux Singapore
Chaine des Rotisseurs
International Wine and Food Society

Academic Advisor : Hospitality Program, SIM (Singapore Institute of Management)

Asia Business Group
Asia Business Group (ABG) is a Consulting firm, founded by Italian and Chinese partners with the aim of facilitating the internationalization process of European businesses in Asia.

Headquartered in Beijing and with offices in Milan, Rome, Verona (Italy) and Hong Kong, ABG boasts a team of consultants with international experience and an in-depth knowledge of the Asian region and its economies, where they have been operating in for many years.