Tobias TOFF Germany Silver medal

An Austrian national, Tobias has been Sommelier at Hotel Kronenschlösschen at Eltville since October 2022. He is also studying for a degree in International Wine Business at the Hochschule Geisenheim University. Germany's “best wine lists” organised by Star Wine Lists saw Tobias’ establishment jointly win the Best California Wine List with the accolade “A rare wine list with a great depth in back vintages and some amazing producers available at a fair price.”

Gianmattia GIORDANO Australia Bronze medal

Assistant Head Sommelier at Rockpool Bar and Grill Sydney where he has been since April 2021. Rockpool has one of the country’s finest wine vaults. Working at the esteemed Sydney steakhouse is the “Holy Grail” for many Sommeliers. To be promoted within its Sommelier ranks is a wine-lover’s dream. Rockpool encourages team members to undertake professional development and supports these endeavours. Italian-born Gianmattia said, “I want to develop my Sommelier career at Rockpool. I work with a very strong and talented team and I have the opportunity to work with one of the best wine lists in the world. One of the things Gianmattia enjoys most about working at Rockpool is “being able to learn every day something different about this vast world of wine. I enjoy taking care of our guests and guiding them with their wine choice. When your guest is happy about what they have been recommended, especially after long research, it is the best reward.”

Eric PALMER United States of America Bronze medal

Eric Palmer grew up near Philadelphia and got his first job when he was 14 at McDonalds. He worked a variety of jobs, but after “falling in love with wine” he decided to take the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Course followed by studying Beverage Management at The University of Massachusetts and an internship at Blantyre, a small Relais & Chateaux resort in New England. It was here he realized the possibility of wine as a career. In 2020 Eric moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to help open The Chastain restaurant. Under the mentorship of Beverage Manager Juan Cortes, Eric rose to the position of Assistant Sommelier and helped develop a programme that won a Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence”. In 2022 Eric joined Perrine’s Wine, an independent retail shop with two locations. An active member of Atlanta’s vibrant wine community, Eric participates in multiple tasting groups, works wine dinners and events throughout the city, and mentors those studying for the competitions and exams.

Minjun KIM Korea Silver medal

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.

Freddie JOHNSON Great Britain Bronze medal

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.

Dong-Yeon KO Korea Silver medal

Markron 'Mark' PATANA Great Britain Bronze medal

Jonathan EICHHOLZ United States of America Silver medal

Andres ARAGON Australia Bronze medal

Thibaut BROUSSIER Australia Silver medal

Jeremy S. SHANKER United States of America Bronze medal

Mikael GROU Australia Silver medal

Vincent MORROW United States of America Bronze medal

Romain BOURGER Great Britain Silver medal

Emmanuel CADIEU Australia Bronze medal

Heidi MAKINEN Finland Silver medal

Mattia Antonio CIANCA Australia Bronze medal

Jane Lopes United States of America Silver medal

Tanguy Martin Great Britain Bronze medal

Bobby CONROY United States of America Silver medal

Jarrod MILLS Australia Bronze medal

Arnaud Bardary Great Britain Silver medal

Yuki HIROSE Australia Bronze medal

Remi COUSIN Great Britain Silver medal

Nikolaos GIANNOPOULOS Greece Bronze medal

Michael MEAGHER United States of America Silver medal

Nikolaos GIANNOPOULOS Greece Bronze medal

Bruno MURCIANO Spain Silver medal

Samuil Angelov Finland Bronze medal

Laura RHYS Great Britain Silver medal

Jürgen WITSCHKO Austria Bronze medal

Lianne CASTRAVELLI Canada Silver medal

Norman SCHMIDT Germany Bronze medal