Love this! Your perspective on the irreplaceability of hospitality and human connection really resonates (though the way you’ve framed our post makes it sound like we disagree with you). AI can certainly provide information, but there’s no substitute for the genuine warmth and uniquely human passion that sommeliers like you bring to the table. Good luck with your exam prep, you’re gonna kill it!
Every time I read these articles, I can't help but think of one of my old high school friends who is now a Master Sommelier. This quote you wrote made me think of him once again:
Sommeliers are some of the most book smart and emotionally intelligent people I’ve ever met, and every single somm I’ve met is acutely aware of their role within their surroundings.
Scott (my old high school pal) is this exactly. He was on the knowledge bowl team. He was good at math, good at French, good at all sorts of things. He had more knowledge about Monty Python's Flying Circus than Monty Python does. Back in the 90s, he somehow compiled a list of all of the evidence that Paul (McCartney) is dead. (this was before the internet and way after the Beatles!)
What I'm saying is, if I had the fortune now of having Scott as a sommelier at a restaurant, I know that the experience would be 10/10. I know I would laugh. I know I would learn something. And I know I'd get a great wine.
Congratulations on your wine journey and reward. I am a sommelier myself, but more importantly, I am an adjunct teacher at a culinary school teaching hospitality, and the one thing I tell my students is that AI cannot fully infiltrate hospitality. You will always need staff to service guests. (well, until the robots come:-)
Congratulations on completing the course and excited for all the wine expertise you’ll be sharing with us!!
Thank you!! It’s a long journey ahead, and I’m currently buried in highlighters, but it’s an exciting adventure in wine that I can’t wait to share. 🍷
I’m imagining Sweeps and The Bear now with your highlighters and notes! So exciting!
Love this! Your perspective on the irreplaceability of hospitality and human connection really resonates (though the way you’ve framed our post makes it sound like we disagree with you). AI can certainly provide information, but there’s no substitute for the genuine warmth and uniquely human passion that sommeliers like you bring to the table. Good luck with your exam prep, you’re gonna kill it!
Every time I read these articles, I can't help but think of one of my old high school friends who is now a Master Sommelier. This quote you wrote made me think of him once again:
Sommeliers are some of the most book smart and emotionally intelligent people I’ve ever met, and every single somm I’ve met is acutely aware of their role within their surroundings.
Scott (my old high school pal) is this exactly. He was on the knowledge bowl team. He was good at math, good at French, good at all sorts of things. He had more knowledge about Monty Python's Flying Circus than Monty Python does. Back in the 90s, he somehow compiled a list of all of the evidence that Paul (McCartney) is dead. (this was before the internet and way after the Beatles!)
What I'm saying is, if I had the fortune now of having Scott as a sommelier at a restaurant, I know that the experience would be 10/10. I know I would laugh. I know I would learn something. And I know I'd get a great wine.
Congratulations on your wine journey and reward. I am a sommelier myself, but more importantly, I am an adjunct teacher at a culinary school teaching hospitality, and the one thing I tell my students is that AI cannot fully infiltrate hospitality. You will always need staff to service guests. (well, until the robots come:-)