SAKE SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION

The SAKE SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION® (SSA) is global partnership of talented Sake Educators® providing sake sommelier educational courses – the first to do so outside of Japan. Founded by Sake Expert Kumiko Ohta and Sommelier Xavier Chapelou in 2000, the Sake Sommelier Association leads the way in promoting global education and awareness of sake. Objective The Association's objective is to develop global education and awareness of sake - increasing opportunities for students to learn the cultural history of sake and to train to become Certified Sake Sommeliers®. The Association is split into 3 pillars: Education The SAKE SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION accredit the Sake Sommelier Academy® and its rich network of Sake Educators® across 6 different continents. Our flagships courses are available in locations such as: United States, Italy, Austria, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico, France, India, China, Norway; and many more! Our higher level courses are also available from our more experienced Sake Educators. www.sakesommelieracademy.com Challenges The Sake Sommelier Association offers Sake Challenges® to give opportunities for sake producers to have their products judged by local Sake Sommeliers®. Starting in London in 2012, the SSA now hosts Sake Challenges across the world to mark sake on taste, quality, labelling and packaging! www.sakechallenges.com/ Competition The Sake Sommelier of the Year® is a sommelier competition. organised by the SSA and held around the globe, to find the world's best Sake Sommelier®! The first of it's kind outside of Japan and now one of the most highly sought-after honours within the Sake World. The competition aims to find the most highly skilled and knowledgeable sake sommeliers, bringing them & their establishments to the attention of the industry at large. www.sakesommelieroftheyear.com