SKYCITY Sommelier to represent NZ in global competition

SKYCITY sommelier, Marek Przyborek, from premium Chinese restaurant Huami, has been crowned 2018 New Zealand Sommelier Of The Year and will go on to represent New Zealand in the Asia and Oceania global competition.

The New Zealand Sommelier Of The Year competition tests professionals on their abilities around theory, service and blind tasting of wines and spirits. The coveted title is considered high praise among industry professionals. Mr Przyborek will now travel to Kyoto and represent New Zealand at the ASI Association of Sommeliers International Asia-Oceania Competition.

Mr Przyborek has a strong drive for excellence and passion for the industry and is extremely proud of the wine list that has been curated at Huami.

“Huami has an impressive wine list which was curated for opening by Master Sommelier, Cameron Douglas. It’s great to continue the fine work Cameron has set and to champion the wine offering at Huami and other SKYCITY restaurants to ensure we have an excellent fine wine offering,” says Mr Przyborek.

Celia Hay, chair of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association explains: “This year’s victory of Marek Przyborek from Poland reflects the global skills of hospitality professionals, especially sommeliers, as employers look offshore to find people to fill these key roles.”

Mr Przyborek joined SKYCITY when it opened Huami in July 2017. In this advisory role, Mr Przyborek ensures the very best wine is on offer for customers, as well as sharing with guests his wisdom around food and beverage matching.

With ten years’ international experience in the industry and long list of accolades under his belt, including 2017 Poland Sommelier Of The Year and International Sommelier Association Diploma in Gold, Mr Przyborek has made his mark at SKYCITY and now, New Zealand.

General Manager of Food and Beverage, Danny Bucalo, says he’s proud that SKYCITY continues to be an employer of choice in the hospitality industry.

“SKYCITY is committed to be a leader in the hospitality scene, attracting and nurturing world-class talent across our restaurants to ensure our customers have an outstanding experience,” says Mr Bucalo.

SKYCITY’s award-winning restaurants have worked hard in recent years to develop a strong beverage offering to match their outstanding cuisine. As well as Mr Przyborek, SKYCITY has several beverage experts on board including Master of Wine Sam Harrop as a beverage consultant and Fumi Nakatani, New Zealand’s only sake educator, developing a strong sake offering and level of expertise as restaurant manager at MASU by Nic Watt.