New Zealand sommelier Andrea Martinisi has placed second at the ASI Association of Sommeliers Asia-Oceania Competition in Tokyo.
The competition is the most important international event for wine and beverage professionals working in restaurants and hotels in Asia and Oceania and is held every three years.
Twenty-four candidates from 13 countries competed over two days in this year’s competition, working through a series of assessments and practical service tasks to challenge and showcase their sommelier skills.
Mason Ng from Singapore took out the title, with Martinisi second and Australia’s Loic Avril coming in third.
Originally from Italy, Martinisi is Beverage Director of Michael Dearth’s The Grove Restaurant in Auckland City.
“It takes a lot of motivation and dedication to prepare and put yourself up for such competitions,” he says.
“I was fortunate to compete for New Zealand at the 2019 World Best Sommelier Competition and I learnt so much from this event that I was determined to do the best I could in the Asia Oceania Competition.
“Standing on a stage, thinking on your feet, because you’re not sure what the next task will be, while being filmed and live-streamed is daunting but it’s also exciting to be personally challenged is such ways. I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
Martinisi will to compete at the ASI World Best Sommelier Competition in Paris in February 2023.
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