DOS_patos
Unverified Legion of Trill member
as i traveled around......i often speak with sommeliers while dining. A nigga likes his wine, what can I say, Im uppity ? So during my last trip over christmas and new years my wife and I wondered where all the black sommeliers were.
it prompted me to do my search.....and i found quite few Black sommeliers.
Most said that they are not too respected in the industry and find it hard to get work. This is why we need more upscale black restaurant businesses to support them.
I would love to support black young adults who want to get into this industry.
But lets learn about them first.
what is a sommelier?
A sommelier or wine steward is a person who is an expert in fine wine and is responsible for serving it to patrons. Sommelier is French in origin and originally a wine steward's job was to serve royalty. Modern sommeliers offer their services to fine restaurants.
Training to be a Sommelier and the Sommelier Levels
There is no ‘one way’ to gain the skills needed to be a competent and successful sommelier. While many sommeliers have no formal training, increasing numbers are turning to accredited qualifications as part of their development. The two main providers of certifications for sommeliers are the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, with sommeliers often choosing to pursue both paths of study.
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is the main educational organisation for wine service professionals, established in 1977 to encourage quality standards for beverage service in hotels and restaurants. Their programmes place an emphasis on technical service skills, significant producers and vintage ratings in addition to product and tasting knowledge.
For CMS programmes students mostly self-study with some face-to-face instruction for selected levels prior to examination.
it prompted me to do my search.....and i found quite few Black sommeliers.
Most said that they are not too respected in the industry and find it hard to get work. This is why we need more upscale black restaurant businesses to support them.
I would love to support black young adults who want to get into this industry.
But lets learn about them first.
what is a sommelier?
A sommelier or wine steward is a person who is an expert in fine wine and is responsible for serving it to patrons. Sommelier is French in origin and originally a wine steward's job was to serve royalty. Modern sommeliers offer their services to fine restaurants.
Training to be a Sommelier and the Sommelier Levels
There is no ‘one way’ to gain the skills needed to be a competent and successful sommelier. While many sommeliers have no formal training, increasing numbers are turning to accredited qualifications as part of their development. The two main providers of certifications for sommeliers are the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, with sommeliers often choosing to pursue both paths of study.
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is the main educational organisation for wine service professionals, established in 1977 to encourage quality standards for beverage service in hotels and restaurants. Their programmes place an emphasis on technical service skills, significant producers and vintage ratings in addition to product and tasting knowledge.
For CMS programmes students mostly self-study with some face-to-face instruction for selected levels prior to examination.