Cocktail Corner: Get Schooled in Sake

Yuji Matsumoto (courtesy photo)

Yuji Matsumoto (courtesy photo)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg  |

The Bacara Resort’s new Meet the Masters dining series with the world’s finest wine and spirit masters kicked off this week with a sold out evening with Sabrage & Champagne Master Nicolas Krafft of Christofle.

Up next, on Thursday, March 20, is an evening with Yuji Matsumoto, the United States’ first certified Master Sake Sommelier.  The fun begins at 6 p.m. with a sushi and sake reception on the Miro Terrace, paired with a selection of sushi by the resort’s own Sushi Chef.

That will be followed by a four-course tasting menu by Miro Chef Johan Denizot, elegantly presented by Bacara’s Creative Director Lorrene Balzani. Each course will be expertly paired with renowned sake and wine selections by Matsumoto, whose credentials are quite impressive.

In addition to being the first certified Master Sake Sommelier in the U.S., he is the former  president of both the California Sushi Academy and the Sake Institute of America, the beverage manager of Kabuki Restaurants, Inc., a Sake Samurai (awarded as a Sake Samurai in 2010 by the Japan National Sake Brewery Association Junior Counsel), a finalist of 2006 World Sake Sommelier Competition, a speaker at more than 300 sake seminars, and a contributor  to Japanese Restaurant News and Sushi and Sake Magazine.

Space is very limited and advanced reservations are required. To book a spot click here.

Cheers!

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Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 21, 2014.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”