COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS, AMERICAS WELCOMES SEVEN NEW MASTERS TO ITS PRESTIGIOUS RANKS
Brahm Callahan, William Costello, Elyse Lambert, Jack Mason, Michael Meagher, Kevin Reilly and June Rodil Named Master Sommeliers
ASPEN, CO (May 20, 2015) –Today, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas welcomes seven new members: Brahm Callahan (Grill 23 & Bar, Boston, MA), William Costello (The Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, NV), Elyse Lambert (Maison Boulud, Montreal, QC, Canada), Jack Mason, (MARTA, New York, NY), Michael Meagher (Jackson Family Wines, Groton, MA), Kevin Reilly (Cyrus Restaurant, Healdsburg, CA) and June Rodil (Maguire Moorman Hospitality Group, Austin, TX).
The Master Sommelier Diploma is the highest distinction a professional can attain in the beverage service industry. The Master Sommelier Diploma Examination consists of three sections: a verbal theory examination, a blind tasting of six wines in 25 minutes, and a practical service component which focuses on restaurant beverage service and salesmanship. Candidates must receive passing scores in each category in order to earn the highly coveted title of Master Sommelier.
Held at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado from May 17th – 20th, the invitation-only examination was attempted by 63 individuals from 14 states and Canada. The results were announced at the Krug Reception attended by all who sat the examination, guests and Master Sommelier Examiners.
“On behalf of the entire Court, I would like to congratulate all candidates for reaching the final stage of the examination process, and heartily welcome to our organization those who were successful this week,” said Andrew McNamara, MS, Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. “After years of preparation, these seven candidates have demonstrated their mastery of the highest standards in beverage theory, service and tasting ability. We look forward to their future contributions to the organization and the beverage industry as a whole. All of the candidates who sat the Master Sommelier examination showed admirable efforts and professionalism. We continue to applaud their dedication to this extraordinarily challenging process.”
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 147 professionals who have earned the title of Master Sommelier as part of the Americas chapter since the organization’s inception. Of those, 124 are men and 23 are women. There are 227 professionals worldwide who have received the title of Master Sommelier since the first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam. For more information, please visit www.mastersommeliers.org.
