Somlay Association Malaysia

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Somlay Association Malaysia

SOMLAY is a non-profitable organization with members from the trade or hospitality industries.

It was founded in 2009 by personalities in the hospitality industry and is the only official sommelier association in Malaysia.

13/08/2026

Shaping the future of hospitality starts in the classroom.

SOMLAY President Danny Leong recently visited Sunway University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management as Guest Speaker, representing the Association.

During the session, Danny shared insights on:
🔹 The evolving role of the modern Sommelier
🔹 Sensory science & consumer psychology in F&B
🔹 The future of experience design, wellness, and inclusive beverage menus

At SOMLAY, our mission extends beyond sommelier competitions — we’re committed to education and investing in Malaysia’s next generation of F&B talent.

Thank you to Associate Professor Dr. Joaquim Dias Soeiro, Deputy Dean (Internationalisation), School of Hospitality & Tourism Management for the invitation.

Here’s to inspiring Malaysia’s future hospitality leaders! 🇲🇾🍷

17/07/2026

Yesterday, our President, on behalf of the Sommelier Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ningxia Helan Mountain East Foothills Wine Industry Investment & Development Group.
This collaboration will focus on educational programmes and events to enhance awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of Ningxia wines and the region’s wineries.

A big thank you to all our SOMLAY members who joined us for the MoU signing and shared this special occasion with us. Here’s to a successful collaboration and many more opportunities to learn, connect, and grow together.

12/07/2026

🌍 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗕𝗦𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 11:
𝗗𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶

We are delighted to welcome Daisuke Kawai from Singapore to the Malaysia Best Sommelier Competition 2026.

📍 Workplace
Grand Cru Wine Concierge, Singapore

❓Why did you become a sommelier?
I became a sommelier because I believe wine has the unique power to connect people, cultures, and stories. The more I learned about wine, the more I realized it is a lifelong journey of discovery. Sharing that passion and creating memorable experiences for guests continues to inspire me every day.

❓Why are you competing in MBSC 2026?
Competing is one of the best ways to challenge myself and continue growing as a professional. I am truly honoured to join this competition, and I look forward to learning from the outstanding sommeliers of Malaysia while sharing experiences and building friendships across the industry.

🍇 Favourite Wine Region or Grape
Piemonte – Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo fascinates me with its extraordinary ability to express terroir, combining elegance, structure, and remarkable ageing potential. Piemonte continually reminds me how tradition, patience, and place come together to create truly world-class wines.

💬 One message for aspiring sommeliers
Never stop learning, stay humble, and always remember that our greatest role is to make wine enjoyable and meaningful for our guests. Knowledge is essential, but genuine hospitality is what truly makes a great sommelier.

Please join us in welcoming Daisuke Kawai and wishing him every success as he competes in the Malaysia Best Sommelier Competition 2026! 🍷

Leave your words of encouragement in the comments and show him the spirit of the Malaysian wine community.

12/07/2026

🏆 Malaysia Best Sommelier Championship 2026 – A Celebration of Excellence 🍷

The journey is almost complete.

After days of intense challenges, knowledge, and blind tasting, join us as Malaysia’s finest sommeliers compete in the Grand Finals, before we crown the Malaysia Best Sommelier 2026.

Whether you’re a wine professional, enthusiast, or supporter, this is your opportunity to witness the country’s most prestigious sommelier competition and celebrate with fellow wine lovers, distinguished judges, producers, importers, and industry leaders.

📅 Sunday, 19 July 2026
📍 St. Giles Southkey Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur

🏅 Grand Finals

🕑 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 The Garden 1, Level 5
🎟️ FREE Admission

🍷 Wine & Saké Fair

🕓 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 The Garden Ballroom Foyer, Level A
🎟️ RM100 nett per person

Complimentary entry for Gala Dinner ticket holders.

✨ Gala Dinner & Award Presentation

🕖 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 The Garden Ballroom
🎟️ RM368 nett per person

For SOMLAY members, kindly remit payment directly to our Treasurer, Ms. Cherry Chan.

📌 Registration closes Tuesday, 14 July 2026.

🔗 Register now:
• Grand Finals: https://shorturl.at/SFNv6
• Wine & Saké Fair: https://shorturl.at/4F9Lx
• Gala Dinner: https://shorturl.at/iZWnf

Join us in celebrating excellence, passion, and the future of Malaysian sommellerie.

SomlayForAll

11/07/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗕𝗦𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝟭𝟬:
𝗧𝗲𝗼𝗵 𝗙𝘂 𝗫𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴

Every sommelier has a unique story. Before they take the stage at MBSC 2026, get to know the people behind the competition.

📍 Workplace
Independent Wine Professional

❓Why did you become a sommelier?
I wanted to take on challenges that once seemed impossible to achieve. Over the years, I’ve realised that passion can overcome almost anything, and that’s what continues to drive me forward.

❓Why are you competing in MBSC 2026?
I’ve never really liked competitions because they come with a lot of stress—and that’s exactly why I joined. I constantly push myself off the cliff so I never forget that the world is big enough for me to keep growing, learning, and trying again. That challenge keeps me alive.

🍇 Favourite Wine Region or Grape
Spanish wines – From A to Z. Don’t ask me why… good yumyum speaks for itself!🇪🇸🍷

💬 One message for aspiring sommeliers
Stay eager to win while remaining humble in defeat. Apply that mindset to everything you love and are passionate about.

Join us in wishing Teoh all the best as he prepares for MBSC 2026! 🍷 Leave your words of encouragement in the comments and help cheer him on.

SomlayForAll

09/07/2026

On 4th July 2026, members of the Sommelier Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY) duly elected seven Committee Members for the new term 2026–2028. Let's wish them all the best in leading SOMLAY to greater heights!

05/07/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗕𝗦𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝟵:
𝗘𝘇𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗶𝗮 𝗞𝗶𝗿

Every sommelier has a unique story. Before they take the stage at MBSC 2026, get to know the people behind the competition.

📍 Workplace
Park90

❓Why did you become a sommelier?
I became a sommelier because I realised wine is much more than just a beverage. Every bottle tells the story of its people, history, culture, and terroir. I enjoy connecting those stories with guests and helping them discover wines they may never have chosen themselves.

❓Why are you competing in MBSC 2026?
Competing in the Malaysia Best Sommelier Competition is my way of challenging myself and measuring my progress against the best sommeliers in the country. Every competition pushes me beyond my comfort zone, exposes my weaknesses, and motivates me to improve.

🍇 Favourite Wine Region or Grape
Burgundy: a region whose diversity, precision, and expression of terroir continue to inspire endless learning and exploration.

💬 One message for aspiring sommeliers
Never stop learning, and never let setbacks define you. Every service, every tasting, every exam, and every competition is an opportunity to grow. Stay humble, stay curious, and remember that great hospitality is just as important as great wine knowledge.

Join us in wishing Ezra all the best as he prepares for MBSC 2026! 🍷
Leave your words of encouragement in the comments and help cheer him on.

05/07/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗕𝗦𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝟴:
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴

Every sommelier has a unique story. Before they take the stage at MBSC 2026, get to know the people behind the competition.

📍 Workplace
Burgchamp Solutions (KL)

❓Why did you become a sommelier?
Being a sommelier is more than a profession. It requires genuine passion, professionalism, and a commitment to connecting wine lovers with winemakers. For me, the role is a bridge between craft and appreciation within the beverage industry.

❓Why are you competing in MBSC 2026?
I believe professionals in the alcohol industry have a responsibility to guide consumers toward informed choices, genuine value, and quality. Competing in MBSC 2026 is an opportunity to sharpen my skills, build confidence, and broaden my perspective for long-term career growth.

🍇 Favourite Wine Region or Grape
Burgundy: one of the world’s most iconic and fascinating wine regions, rich in complexity, geography, and history.

💬 One message for aspiring sommeliers
Being a sommelier goes beyond food pairing and service. It is equally important to understand the often-overlooked details, such as proper storage conditions during importation, to minimise risk before a bottle reaches the table.

Join us in wishing Marvin all the best as he prepares for MBSC 2026! 🍷
Leave your words of encouragement in the comments and help cheer him on.

SomlayForAll

05/07/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗕𝗦𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝟳
𝗩𝗣 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻

Every sommelier has a unique story. Before they take the stage at MBSC 2026, get to know the people behind the competition.

📍 Workplace
Potager KL

❓Why did you become a sommelier?
I’ve always enjoyed a good drink… perhaps because my mum put beer in my porridge when I was three years old! 🍺😄

❓Why are you competing in MBSC 2026?
Because Justin Ho asked me to compete… just kidding! I want to gain more experience and, eventually, compete on the world stage. Taking part in last year’s regional competition inspired me tremendously and motivated me to keep pushing myself.

🍇 Favourite Wine Region or Grape
Champagne: A region that is almost impossible to replace or imitate; English sparkling wines are great too—don’t get me wrong!

💬 One message for aspiring sommeliers
BTBLP! If you know, you know, fellow sommeliers! 😉

Join us in wishing VP all the best as he prepares for MBSC 2026!
Leave your words of encouragement in the comments and help cheer him on. 🥂

Address

DoubleTree By Hilton Kuala Lumpur, The Intermark, 348 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kua
Kuala Lumpur
50400

Website

https://somlay.org.my/

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