ASPEN, CO (May 18, 2016) – Today, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas welcomes three new members: David Keck of Camerata of Paulie’s in Houston, Texas; Kyungmoon Kim of The Modern in New York, New York; and Jim Rollston of Manresa in Los Gatos, California. 
Held at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado from May 16th - 18th, the invitation-only Master Sommelier Diploma Examination was attempted by 63 individuals from 18 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 am pleased to welcome our newest members and offer them my earnest congratulations,” said Andrew McNamara, MS, Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. “The path to the Master Sommelier Diploma is a long and challenging one. After years of preparation, these three candidates have demonstrated their mastery of the highest standards in beverage theory, service and tasting ability. All of the candidates who sat the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination showed commendable efforts and professionalism. We continue to admire their dedication to this extraordinarily challenging process.”
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.
ABOUT THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS, AMERICAS
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 Examination; 2) Certified Sommelier Examination; 3) Advanced Sommelier Examination; and 4) Master Sommelier Diploma. There are 149 professionals who have earned the title of Master Sommelier as part of the Americas chapter since the organization’s inception. Of those, 125 are men and 24 are women. There are 233 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.
