The winners

First
place
Competitor 2022

Elliot BJÖRKMANN Sweden First place

Elliot says that becoming a sommelier wasn’t always a given choice. He started as a runner at Erik´s Gondolen in Stockholm. His interest in wine was sparked when the Sommelier started an internal course for the junior waiters. She made him feel that wine was really fun and that studying wasn’t all bad. Next step was to go to Sommelier school. Unfortunately Gondolen closed but soon after he got a job at W by Wijnjas then moved to Studio Nian, its sister establishment, as Head Sommelier. He likes the philosophy there. Wine is for everyone. We share an unquenchable thirst for drinking the classics but should also enjoy everyday wines.

2022 - The competitors Minjun KIM Korea
Second
place
Competitor 2022

Minjun KIM Korea Second place

After graduating from Dongguk University’s Hospitality Department, Minjun dreamed of becoming a Sommelier. He joined Jung Sik, the Michelin 2-star restaurant known as a new pioneer of Korean cuisine. As part of the service team, he developed his knowledge and competed in national competitions for two years gaining more experience. He then worked for a year as a Sommelier at the Michelin 1-star Soigné before rejoining Jung Sik as a Sommelier. He holds the French Wine Scholar credential, has reached WSET Level 3 and is on track for the next stage in his Court of Master Sommeliers certification.

2022 - The competitors Freddie JOHNSON Great Britain
Third
place
Competitor 2022

Freddie JOHNSON Great Britain Third place

Sommelier at The Fat Duck since September 2020, Freddie has had a lifelong passion for restaurants. He left school to train and work in high-end kitchens. Moved to the front of house and enrolled in an International Wine Business Degree course at Plumpton College. Graduating with a BA (Hons 1st Class) in 2019, he went on to pass the Level 4 WSET Diploma. After a summer stage in Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, Freddie sought to embark on a career working in and around the high-end London on-trade. Following 12 months as Sommelier and Wine Buyer at Church Road in Barnes, he joined the famed Michelin 3-Star Fat Duck.

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