After an intense five day exam, 11 join ranks of advanced sommeliers  After five days of intense lectures and examinations, and months, if not years, of study, eleven sommeliers successfully passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Exam on Friday, August 13. Held at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State University, the Advanced Exam is the third in a series of four increasingly challenging tests of knowledge and skill offered by the Court, and is designed to distinguish those candidates with a superior understanding of wine theory and the beverage service industry, as well as a highly sophisticated tasting ability. Having successfully cleared this hurdle, these eleven individuals from across North America are now setting their sights on achieving the highest sommelier designation in the world, that of Master Sommelier.
The Advanced Examination is exponentially more challenging than the prerequisite Introductory Sommelier and Certified Sommelier Examinations, with only a small percentage of those who begin the Court’s programs ever reaching this milestone. Despite thousands of new individuals enrolling in the Court’s educational programs each year, only 105 individuals in North America have successfully gone on to earn the title of Master Sommelier. Thirty three candidates in total sat for this Advanced Exam, with some traveling from as far away as California and New York to see if they have what it takes. “To pass the Court’s Advanced Exam is no small feat,” said Tim Gaiser, the Education Director for the American Chapter of the Court. “These eleven individuals are among the very best in their field, yet only a fraction will ever go on to achieve the title of Master Sommelier,” he added. With each Advanced Examination, the Court awards the prestigious Rudd Scholarship to the highest scoring candidate. Daniel Cobian is the latest recipient of this award. The scholarship offers funds toward the coursework needed to prepare for the Masters Exam and an invitation to attend the Rudd Masterí’s Round Table in Napa Valley, a two day intensive tutorial about wine theory, tasting and service. A native Floridian, Cobian began his career at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami and currently serves as a sommelier at L’Escalier, the flagship restaurant at The Breakers Palm Beach. Read more | | Be our guest!Come and enjoy the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort and its College Program on Cincinnati State’s campus October 14-15. Details 'Best in Class' Dining at The SummitMake your reservation now for a scrumptious and educational culinary experience. More 1 Night 12 KitchensMark your calendar now for an event that has quickly become one of Greater Cincinnati’s most popular scholarship fund-raisers. More Wine and DineFood and wine pairings take center stage at the Summit's popular wine dinners. More |
