Committee Members

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The Australian Sommeliers Association Inc.



Ben Moechtar President	Ben Moechtar has worked in the wine industry for 15 years, plus practising as a freelance wine and food journalist (Australian Bartender Magazine, Australian Sommelier Magazine, i-Grape/i-Mode), Ben also owns and runs a 7 day Spanish providore in McMahon’s Point, called Delicado Foods: A Taste of Spain. Ben’s last Sommelier gig was Executive Sommelier at Sydney’s WildFire restaurant. Ben and the Sommelier team won the RCA wine list of the year for 3 consecutive years. Ben’s sommelier debut was at MG Garage in the mid-nineties. During his colourful career Ben assisted in the creation of Garage Cellars bottle shop and drew together the original cellar list for Aria Restaurant as chief Cellarman for the Solotel Hotel Group. Ben is a wine educator, associate judge, olive oil judge and now stands as President of the Sommeliers’ association for the NSW Chapter.

John Clancy Vice President	Quiet Achiever Author: Huon Hooke Date: 03/09/2002 Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: Good Living

Michael Davey Treasurer	A committee member since 2002, Michael has over 10 years wine industry experience. An Adelaide University (Roseworthy) and WSET Diploma graduate, Michael has both a local and global perspective. As a lecturer for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and member of Divine, Choice (ACA) and National Liquor News tasting panels, Michael is exposed to a diverse selection of wines. Also involved as an associate/judge at several shows including the Sydney Royal Wine Show and the London IWC. Career highlights include the 2005 Len Evans Tutorial and working a vintage (1999) at Louis Jadot in Beaune.

Trish Redman Secretariat / Public Officer	An Accountant with a passion for wine finally led Trish to completing the Ryde Tafe Sommelier course in 2004/05. This has been further enhanced by work with Peter Bourne, plus various Wine shows, tastings & events. An ASA member for a few years, Trish has now taken on the Secretarial role for the ASA in 2006.	o

Chris Morrison Committee Member	Chris Morrison is one of the wine industries most passionate and respected personalities. While avoiding conscription by his parents into the Army Reserve he found himself working for master winemaker Wolf Blass in the early nineties, he them moved to London to work as head sommelier for Sir Terrance Conran before returning home to Sydney and continuing his career as a Sommelier in the wine teams of est, quay and Becasse finally settling in 2002 at guillaume at Bennelong where he remained Head Sommelier for four years In 2006 he was awarded the Sydney Morning Herald Sommelier Award recognised as on of his professions highest accolades. Chris has spent the last two years working as a writer, show judge and consultant and now spends his days with the team at Liquid ideas as the resident drinks specialist.

Melissa Parker Committee Member	Melissa has worked in the hospitality industry in all guises for 20 years beginning as a food and beverage attendant, then bartender to restaurant manager and events manager before landing the role of marketing manager at the Australian Hotels Association of New South Wales. She followed this with a five year stint as managing editor of liquor magazine titles for NPG media. She now operates her own communications consultancy specialising in the drinks business.

Tony Venn Committee Member	Tony grew up in Adelaide and started his hospitality career at the Country Comfort Inn. Moved to Sydney in 1996 to study at the Manly International College of Hotel Management and worked at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Chicane, Stedman’s Agency and Verandah. Tony is currently the Assistant Sommelier at Wildfire Restaurant, where he has been for the last 2.5 years. Also, completed the introductory Sommelier’s course at Ryde Tafe.

Tim Stock Committee Member	Tim Stock moved to Sydney in 1996 to pursue a career in the finest dining rooms of the country. After almost 4 years apprenticing as a sommelier under the watchful eye of John Clancy at Bilsons/Quay Restaurant he was approached to set up Aria Restaurant's wine program. The move to Aria proved successful with the restaurant winning the National Award for Best Wine List of the Year in the 2003 Tucker Seabrook Wine List of the Year Awards. In 2000 Tim won the Champagne Devaux Young Sommelier of the Year Award and in 2002 the Australian Sommelier's Association Sommelier of the Year Award. Tim also won a scholarship to the inaugural Len Evans Tutorial and has been an active show judge. Today he dedicates his time to Vinous Solutions, a small fine wine wholesale company. He remains intensely passionate about the future of sommelier's in Australia.

Greg Richardson Committee Member	My introduction into wine didn’t occur until I was in my early twenties when I stumbled across the magical wines of Pouilly Fume and Menetou Salon whilst working in a boutique hotel in Oxford, England. The journey brought me back home where stints at The Observatory Hotel, Banc & Wine Banc and Mezzaluna finally led me to Wildfire where I worked as the Sommelier along with our current President, Ben Moechtar. I am currently working with Tim Stock at Vinous Solutions as a distributor of quality driven Australian brands such as Bass Phillip, Domaine A and Scorpo. I am working with the Sommeliers Association to help raise the profile and increase the recognition of the valuable contributions these members of any good restaurant team provide.

Clint Hillary Committee Member	Born in 1980. Completed Diploma in Hospitality Management in 2000. Worked for the Holiday Inn Hotel Group which kick started an interest in wine. Later employed as Operations Manager of a small city wine bar, was a real eye opener to the logistical side of wine and wine lists. Two years at Wildfire, under the guidance of Ben Moechtar was the defining time for Clint. Coinciding studies at Ryde Tafe lead to the completion of Clint’s Sommelier’s Certificate, an initiative of the ASA. Currently on the tasting panel for Cellarmasters and a Sommelier at Altitude Restaurant, Circular Quay, Sydney.


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