Do you want to learn more about sake, Japan’s national beverage?

West London Wine School’s Sake Sommelier Association (SSA) Introductory Sake Professional course provides a fascinating introduction to the wonderful world of Japanese sake, and is also a great way to meet new friends who share your interest in this fascinating drink that is rich with history and traditions. On this half-day course our Sake Tutor and certified SSA Sake Educator Sarah Stewart will cover all the sake basics and take you through a detailed tasting of eight different sakes.

You will also enjoy a delicious two-course Japanese lunch specially created by the chefs at The Suzu House in Hammersmith, with a glass of sake.

At the end of the day you will have the opportunity to sit an optional short multiple choice test (no study required, you will learn everything you need to know during the course!) to show how much you have learned. You will also receive a beautiful certificate and lapel pin to recognize your new SSA Introductory Sake Professional qualification. This course is suitable for anyone interested in learning more about sake, as well as hospitality or beverage trade professionals looking to advance their sake knowledge and pursue further studies with the SSA.

What you'll learn:

• Sake history and culture in Japan
• Introduction to Sake Production: ingredients and their function in brewing
• Sake Designations and rice polishing ratios
• How to taste sake, with tutored tasting of eight different sake across a range of styles
• Practice your new skills through practical tasting workshops during the course
• Traditional Japanese sake service etiquette
• Food & Sake Pairing
• Earn the Introductory Sake Professional (ISP) credential from the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA)

About the School and Instructor:

West London Wine School received the prestigious WSET Educator of the Year Award in 2018 for the top wine education provider globally – it has won numerous accolades for the quality of its teaching and has an average review of 5 stars (highest possible score) on Trip Advisor.

Sarah is the Sake Tutor at West London Wine School, a sake judge for the International Wine Challenge and one of the only people in the UK to hold the Japan Sommelier Association’s Sake Diploma International qualification. She completed the WSET Level 3 in Sake in 2018 and received the IWC Sake Prize for the highest exam score worldwide that year, then in 2022 became a Sake Educator with the Sake Sommelier Association after passing their Certified Sake Sommelier exam with Distinction. She also helps organize sake events and tastings in London in her role as Membership & Events Officer with the British Sake Association. Sarah lived in Japan for two years and has studied the Japanese Way of Tea (chanoyu) for the past 15 years, giving her hands-on experience in traditional Japanese methods of sake service and hospitality.

Cost: £130 per person (includes 2-course lunch with sake and the ISP Credential)