Suraj GC from Park Hyatt Hotel in Auckland has been named the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2024.
Raised in Pokhara Nepal, Suraj GC first came to New Zealand as an international student studying computer engineering in Hawke’s Bay.
He gained part-time work as a waiter at Elephant Hill Winery Restaurant, progressing to maitre d’ and then restaurant manager.
He then completed WSET qualifications and gained Court of Master Sommeliers certification.
Suraj gained permanent residency in 2016 and moved permanently to Auckland in 2019, taking the role of Head Sommelier at the Park Hyatt Hotel.
In 2022, Suraj was awarded a scholarship to attend the Association of Sommeliers International (ASI) Sommelier Bootcamp in Malaysia.
“I am very grateful to the New Zealand Sommelier Association for providing such incredible opportunities and hosting amazing competitions to an international standard,” he says.
“It has been such an mind-blowing feeling to win the Best Sommelier of New Zealand 2024, after being the runner up in 2023.”
Working through a full day of assessments to challenge and showcase sommelier skills, 14 candidates, including two guest sommeliers from Japan and one from Australia, challenged for the top rankings. Suraj GC convincingly demonstrated, over the series of tasks, that he is the best sommelier in New Zealand.
“I feel truly blessed to be able to also represent my home country Nepal, where the wine industry has just begun. I hope someday to inspire more Nepalese people to work in this beautiful world of wine and experience this magical journey.”
Celia Hay, President of New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals, says the New Zealand Sommelier Awards help shine the light on the growing number of wine professionals who are carving exciting and dynamic careers in hospitality and tourism.
“While New Zealand wine is exported to all parts of the globe and wins international awards, we must not forget to acknowledge people working in restaurants, bars and bottle shops who sell wine every day,” she says.
“Suraj GC epitomises this pathway, which started by chance when he was employed as a part-time waiter while studying computer systems, and with self-motivation and dedication enabled him to build a career trajectory that finds him as head sommelier and wine buyer, with an enormous budget, at one of New Zealand leading international hotels.
“Suraj’s story and that of the other 13 competitors offers inspiration and validation to the opportunities that exist in hospitality and tourism careers.”
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