Event Information

A unique sake experience for Australia’s food and beverage professionals is coming to Sydney this October.

Organised by the National Tax Agency JAPAN with support from JAMS.TV, this special industry event offers restaurant, bar, retail and other F&B professionals the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese sake through an interactive tasting seminar, followed by a dedicated trade tasting featuring Japanese alcoholic beverages available in the Australian market.

Sake Expert: Simone Maynard

The seminar will be led by Simone Maynard, a leading Australian sake educator, advocate and consultant with more than 10 years of experience in the sake industry. In 2022, she was awarded the honorary title of Sake Samurai, recognising her contribution to promoting sake and Japanese culture.
Having lived and travelled extensively in Japan, Simone has developed a deep appreciation for Japanese cuisine, culture and craftsmanship, as well as a profound passion and respect for sake and the people who brew it. Her engaging approach and extensive knowledge make her an ideal guide for exploring the many possibilities of sake.

Vessels & Temperature: Discover a New Dimension of Sake Pairing

Building on the basics of food pairing, this exclusive seminar explores how different vessels and serving temperatures can enhance and reveal different flavours and nuances in sake.

Through a curated selection of sake from exhibitors participating in the post-seminar Trade Tasting Event, participants will experience first-hand how the same sake can be perceived differently depending on the vessel and serving temperature.
From fruity aromas and acidity to sweetness, texture and finish, each sake offers its own unique spectrum of characteristics. Carefully selected food pairings will demonstrate how these elements interact with food, while changes in temperature and vessel can further transform the experience on the palate.
The seminar goes beyond traditional sake-and-Japanese-food pairings, exploring the versatility of sake and demonstrating how some of its characteristics can behave differently from those of other alcoholic beverages.
Each tasting will be accompanied by expert commentary from Simone, providing practical insights into how vessel selection, serving temperature and food pairing can be applied to restaurant menus and beverage programs.

Jazushi

Jazushi will create a special selection of pairing dishes exclusively for this seminar, thoughtfully designed to bring out the unique character and flavours of each sake.
Located in Surry Hills, Jazushi has been serving modern Japanese cuisine with live jazz since 2003. Its creative dishes combine Japanese traditional flavours such as miso, shio koji and ponzu with a variety of ingredients and cooking techniques.

Trade Tasting Event

Following the seminar, participants will have the opportunity to join a dedicated Trade Tasting Event, featuring a diverse selection of Japanese alcoholic beverages.

Taste a wide range of products and connect directly with importers and distributors active in the Australian market—an ideal opportunity to discover new products and explore possibilities for your business.

Featured Exhibitors

Sakelier

Based in Sydney, Sakelier is a specialist importer, wholesaler and retailer of Japanese sake and other Japanese beverages. Its extensive portfolio spans a wide range of products, including junmai, ginjo, sparkling sake, koshu, liqueurs and shochu. Sakelier is particularly known for actively sourcing rare and distinctive labels, as well as products from small-scale breweries, offering buyers a diverse and unique selection of Japanese beverages.

MINO Sake Shop

MINO Sake Shop is a Japanese sake specialist shop attached to Honda Sake Bar & Dining in St Leonards. It offers more than 150 Japanese sake selections through its physical and online stores. With its restaurant experience, MINO can provide practical recommendations on food pairing and serving, backed by a strong understanding of local consumer preferences and trends in Sydney’s hospitality industry.

Event Details

Date: Monday, 12 October 2026
Venue: Jazushi
Address: 145 Devonshire St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Schedule
• 11:30 AM – Registration opens
• 12:00 PM – Seminar begins
• 1:00 PM – Seminar concludes / Trade Tasting begins
• 3:00 PM – Trade Tasting concludes

Registration

Eligibility: Food and beverage industry professionals only, including restaurant and bar operators, hospitality professionals, liquor retailers and other relevant trade professionals
Seminar capacity: Limited to 36 attendees
Registration deadline: 20 September 2026
Places are limited to 36. In the event of oversubscription, participants will be selected by lottery.
Selected applicants will be notified by separate email on or after 21 September.

Register online:
https://forms.gle/13cx5CoE1zjpxunx7

Please Note
• Attendance at the Trade Tasting Event from is required for all seminar participants.
• The menu is fixed and dietary requirements cannot be accommodated.
• Each participant must register individually. Additional attendees must complete a separate registration.
• All participants are required to complete a post-event survey to provide feedback for future program planning and to support the development and promotion of Japanese alcoholic beverages.

With limited places available, this is a rare opportunity for Australian F&B professionals to explore sake from a new perspective and gain practical insights from one of Australia’s leading sake professionals. We highly recommend registering early.