Passing a Sommelier exam with the highest score in the class!!

I'm very proud of myself for passing a sommelier exam with the highest score in the class (around 40 people). I did study a lot for 6 months by making my own notes and flash cards. I carried and memorized them even while walking for exercise. I'm weird - I love to learn. I think it's coming from my curious nature. And I love wine - I got some elements I could become a certified sommelier. I can't remember my cell phone number, but was always good at memorizing things for tests at schools. Basically I memorized the whole book to pass the test :)  In fact, I didn't mean to study that much - I just wanted to pass it at first. I did it just because I felt like I was insulted by the Master Sommelier who taught the class. He thought I couldn't make it just because I was a Japanese chick with broken English who worked at Japanese restaurant with a little wine. He is the manager of VERY famous wine restaurant in Orange County. He is also infamous for being a "Male Chauvinist Pig" at a VERY well known company.

I was offered to take the class for free at work. Passing a sommelier exam with the highest score in the class IS NOT my job requirement at all. Normally, only employees who work with wine daily can go through the program since the cost is pretty high. My chef went through the program and I was just hired there, where was a fine-dining Japanese restaurant. But he knew I loved wine with work experience at very famous restaurants with wine and helped me to go through the program. 

Once the class started, I was a stranger - working at Japanese restaurant that carried only a few fine wine. On top of that, I was just a hostess, not even a server - I didn't even touch a wine at all !! About 10 people from a wine restaurant, about 10 people from a VERY famous wine restaurant, about 10 chefs from various locations, about 5 people from wineries and other companies, and my friend from a casual dining and me. But I was VERY confident that I could pass the test with my brain. It doesn't matter how good my skills for English and public speaking are. I studied, so I tried to raise my hand during the classes.
But the Master sommelier instructor(Just call him Mike) tended to point HIS people instead of me or others. I could see Mike didn't like me somehow and tried to avoid me. I know the reason - I'm FEMALE. He showed such absurd attitudes for entire 6 month class. So I studied hard.

I was so nervous right before the test. I felt like I was about to forget everything. But I had enough time to review it twice. After the Masters scored our tests, one of the Masters called our names passed the test. I was 99% sure that I had 100% and there was only ONE question I wasn't sure. I was worried like most of my classmates. When he said this was the last person....he didn't call my name :( My classmates looked at me with surprise. I couldn't believe I couldn't pass it. I was about to burst into tears..... Then he said "I'll call the name of the person who passed the test with the highest score in this class". He called MY NAME finally!! I was so relieved.... :)

When I was given the Sommelier badge and its certification, 4 master sommeliers gave me big hugs and compliments. Mike smiled at me and gave me a hug but I could tell it wasn't coming from his heart. But I FELT SO GOOD to have seen the face!! The class assistant who works with Mike daily was very supportive for the entire class. I told him the reason why I wanted to pass the test with the highest score. He came up to me and gave me big hugs and smiles after I got my badge!!

This was a big deal for my managers. They were so happy that all of the food and beverage managers talked about me at their meetings. I got a gigantic special cheese cake for me just because I kicked ALL of the servers (my classmates) who deal with wine daily at their WINE restaurants. After that, I was offered to teach one of the introduction wine class as a guest instructor. I did pretty good in the class :) I also helped a study group (around 10 people) for the next class - ALL of them passed it :)

I'd like to be a sommelier that I can share my knowledge and experience with my customers and friends without being snobby. Though I felt so great to have been able to show I can do it, passing a sommelier exam with the highest score in the class is just a step for me.

How to Become a Certified Sommelier

Have you ever thought about how to become a certified sommelier?!
You can't be a sommelier just because you love wine. That's just a first step to get into the wine. You got to study A LOT just to pass the test. Even after getting the title of "Sommelier", learning about wine is endless - wine is constantly changing (and aging). Let me explain about "Sommelier" from the prospective in the wine industry. "Sommelier" is a wine expert who specializes in the restaurant side of the industry - wine tasting, wine purchasing, the creation of wine lists, pairing wine with foods, wine storage and inventory. For restaurant guests, "Sommelier" helps them to pick up the suitable wine within their budget that fits their tastes (needs) and complements their food. Having a master sommelier at fine dining restaurant and resort is kind of necessity.

There are a few organizations to certify you as a sommelier. Wanna know how to become a certified sommelier? I went through the test of "The Court of the Master Sommeliers". There are a few steps to become the top of sommelier - Master Sommelier. There are currently less than 200 Master Sommeliers worldwide, around 60 % of them are in N. America. Only 15 women at this moment. This is its rough guide:

The Court of the Master Sommelier:
Sommelier Level 1&2(Certified) - Written test only. It covers the basic knowledge of wine and viticulture (cultivation of grape wine), preparing and presenting wine, beer, liqueurs, and cigars. $500
Sommelier Level 3 (Advanced) - Written test (more in details) and 6 blind tests. You must identify and discuss six wines, referencing the varietal, place of origin, and vintage. $300.
Sommelier Level 4 (Master) - 2 tests. $900 + $800.

The class for Level 1 is petty intense and long (almost 6 month class). The course is generally offered 2-3 times per year and acceptance is highly controlled. The course is designed for potential Master Sommelier candidates. But I do recommend to take it if you were a wine lover who has a time and $. You will learn a lot about wine. It really helps you to pick up better wine for your bucks and enjoy wine more.

All you need to do it to fill out the application on the organization (this case, The Court of the Master Sommeliers). And study a lot and pass the test. Once you pass it, you will be a "Sommelier" forever. You'll get a pin and the certification. Now you know how to become a certified sommelier :)

Do you like the tip of how to become a certified sommelier? Check also my restaurant reviews on Yelp.