Event Information

This July, The Oak Barrel will be playing host to Sandra Gwee from Kodawari Sake Education as she presents her SSA-Certified Sake Sommelier Course. Designed specifically for individuals in the Japanese hospitality and sake industries, this course is a fantastic opportunity to elevate your career and become one of Australia’s leading sake experts.

Over two days, you’ll explore a wide variety of topics, including sake production and styles, food pairings and serving styles, history, culture, and modern changes and challenges. Interspersed between the content, exercises, and yes – an exam, there’ll be 15 sake on the lineup as well as a cheese & chocolate pairing and a Japanese lunch outing. While a summary of the course is provided below, a more comprehensive outline is available at Sandra’s website: www.kodawarisake-edu.com/sake-sommelier-course/. 

At the end of all of it, you’ll receive a certificate and pin, and be able to call yourself a certified Sake Sommelier! Aside from the training and industry reputation this brings, it also means you’ll eligible to attend the London Sake Challenge and other Regional Sake Challenges as tasting judges as well as enter the coveted Sake Sommelier of the Year competition.

WHAT: SSA Sake Sommelier Course with Sandra Gwee
WHERE: The Oak Barrel, 152 Elizabeth St, Sydney, 2000
WHEN: Sunday 23rd July & Monday 24th July
TYPE: In-person only
PRICE: $1750 ($1550 EARLY BIRD PRICING)
ASSESSMENT: 40-point MCQ (70% pass mark required)

Registration: from here.

COURSE OUTLINE

Day 1

• Sake industry problems
• Sake production part 1
• Sake history & culture
• Grade styles of Sake tasting
• Case Study Restaurant experience

Day 2

• Sake Production part 2
• Unlock the sensory system
• Sake Tasting part 2
• Discover Sake & food harmony
• Exam

About SSA and Sandra Gwee

The Sake Sommelier Association is the first and only UK-based organisation that is solely committed to sake education and promotion around the world. Established in 2000, the SSA has been the world’s leading sake education provider with innovative courses expertly tailored to suit students from all backgrounds and cultures. Sandra Gwee – ‘The Queen of Sake’ in Perth – has been a SSA Certified Sake Educator & Scholar since 2019 and a core part of the WA sake scene in years prior and following. Through her sake education & consultancy company Kodawari Sake and her specialty liquor store Sake World, she aims to bring sake and Japanese hospitality to the forefront of Australia’s retail, dining, and entertianment scene.