FEW SUCCEED IN PASSING THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS' ADVANCED EXAM
May 4, 2010
FEW SUCCEED IN PASSING THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS' ADVANCED EXAM
Emily Pickral Papach of Kysela Pere et Fils wins Rudd Scholarship
ANAHEIM, CA – After five days of intense lectures and examinations, preceded by months, if not years, of study and preparation, thirteen sommeliers successfully passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Exam held at the Disney Resorts in Anaheim, California. As the third in a series of four challenging tests of knowledge and skill offered by the Court, the Advanced Exam is designed to distinguish those candidates with a superior understanding of wine theory, the beverage service industry, and a highly sophisticated tasting ability. Having successfully navigated this hurdle, these thirteen 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. Only 105 individuals in North America have gone on to earn the title of Master Sommelier, despite thousands of new individuals enrolling in the Court’s educational programs each year. Fifty-two candidates in total sat for the recent Advanced Exam, one of three to be offered by the Court this year.
“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 thirteen 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. Emily Pickral Papach of Kysela Pere et Fils, a fine wine importer and wholesaler located in Winchester, Virginia, 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 Master’s Round Table in Napa Valley, a two-day intensive tutorial about wine theory, tasting and service. Emily credits four years spent as a Captain at Gramercy Tavern in New York City with helping her develop a great base for her wine knowledge. Having actively studied wine since 2004, she was drawn to the Court’s program for both its prestige and the challenges it brings as the highest achievement one can attain in the field.
“I'm honored and humbled as the recipient of the Rudd Scholarship,” stated Pickral Papach. “The level of knowledge that the other Advanced candidates possessed was impressive and inspiring. I'm excited to continue my studies in preparation for the Masters Exam, as one of the many things I learned during the Advanced course is how much more there is to learn."
“I am extremely pleased that we continue to have such amazing talent come through our program each year,” stated Jay Fletcher, Chairman of the American Chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers. “These successful Advanced Exam candidates possess extraordinary skills and knowledge that I look forward to watching develop in the years to ahead.”
The complete list of candidates who earned the title of Advanced Sommelier at the recent Anaheim exam include: Ryan Anthony of Canlis Restaurant (Seattle, WA), Eric Sargent Crane of Empire Distributors, Inc. (Atlanta, GA), Julie Dalton of Ranazul Tapas and Wine Bistro (Clarksville, MD), David Denton of Charlie Palmer Steak (Arlington, VA), Ryan Fletter of Barolo Grill (Denver, CO), Charles Fredy of Grand Crew Wine Merchants / Better Brands (Waipahu, HI), Jonathan Gonsenhauser of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (Toronto, Ontario), Daniel Grajewski of Stonehill Tavern at the St. Regis Monarch Beach (Anaheim, CA), Michael Ireland of Quince Restaurant (San Francisco, CA), James Jamison of The American Restaurant (Kansas City, MO), John Mayfield of BLT Steak (Astoria, NY), Emily Pickral Papach of Kysela Pere et Fils (Richmond, VA), and Mitchel Price of Addison at The Grand Del Mar Resort (San Diego, CA).
About the Court of Master Sommeliers
The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in England in 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage knowledge and service in hotels and restaurants. The first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam to be held in the United States was in 1987. The title Master Sommelier marks the highest recognition of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities, and professionalism in the hospitality trade. Education was then, and remains today, the Court’s charter. There are four stages involved in attaining the top qualifications of Master Sommelier: 1) Introductory Sommelier Course; 2) Certified Sommelier Exam; 3) Advanced Sommelier Course; and 4) Master Sommelier Diploma.
There are 105 professionals who have earned the title Master Sommelier in North America. Of those, 90 are men and 15 are women. There are 170 professionals worldwide who have received the title of Master Sommelier since the first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.