41 Competitors from across Europe, Africa and Middle East will compete for the title of these regions’ best. The group includes 39 competitors from member countries of the Association de la Sommellerie International (ASI) plus two competitors from Lebanon and Moldova, whose sommelier associations are currently in the College of Applicants awaiting full member status with the global sommelier association.
Of the competitors for this year’s contest, ASI president William Wouters says, “The ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 exemplifies the dynamic evolution of our profession. This year, we’re thrilled to see an inspiring level of diversity among our competitors, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry and a commitment to hospitality and service at the highest level from across these regions. Nearly 80 percent of our contestants are under 40, a testament to the new generation's commitment, energy, and passion for sommellerie. From the growing strength of competitors in Eastern Europe to the remarkable talent emerging from Africa and the Middle East, we’re witnessing an era of unprecedented skill and knowledge in our profession. It’s an exciting time for sommeliers, and I am proud to see such a broad representation at this prestigious competition.”
This year’s contest has been jointly organised by ASI, and its various committees, in partnership with the Serbia Sommelier Association (SERSA) under the direction of President Dejan Živkoski. Of hosting the contest Živkoski says “we are excited to welcome over 40 of the best sommeliers from around the world, along with the presidents of their national associations, renowned wine journalists and numerous guests who are passionate lovers of wine and sommellerie. This is an opportunity to not only showcase sommellerie but also our famous Serbian hospitality, delicious Serbian food, top-quality Serbian wines, and our renowned Rakia.”
With the rise of sommellerie in all corners of the globe, this year’s contest provides the opportunity for a sommelier from countries outside of the profession’s historic Western European epicenter to finish on the podium. Wouters continues, “this promises to be a very intense, challenging contest. There are no longer any guarantees. I would not be surprised to see more than a few sommeliers in the semi-final, or even the final, from countries that have yet to previously achieve this level at an ASI contest.”
Discover the candidates
To qualify for the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 and be the representative of their country, a competitor must be selected by an ASI member association, amongst other criteria as set out by ASI’s Sommeliers Contests Committee. The candidate is not allowed under any circumstances to enter and compete in the ASI competition of the same title or in different ASI competitions successively by representing a different country.
The ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East is a multi-day event featuring various examinations including written theory, blind tasting, and service skills. The competition begins with a quarter-final round, followed by a semi-final and ultimate the finale, featuring the top three competitors as judged by the ASI Sommeliers Contest Committee. To add a level of complexity competitors must additionally compete in one of ASI’s official languages: English, French, or Spanish.
We are thrilled to present to you the candidates:
- Bujar Tukuli - Albania
- Suvad Zlatic - Austria
- Antoine Lehebel - Belgium
- Kristijan Harjač - Croatia
- Iwona Hereda - Cyprus
- Jakub Pribyl - Czech Republic
- Jonathan Gouveia - Denmark
- Mikk Parre - Estonia
- Dmitrii Frolov - Finland
- Pascaline Lepeltier - France
- Koba Abramishvili - Georgia
- Florian Richter - Germany
- Eleftherios Hanialidis - Greece
- Juan Sebastian Giraldo - Hungary
- Oddný Ingólfsdóttir - Iceland
- Anke Hartmann - Ireland
- Francesco Cosci - Italy
- Dmitrijs Sinkevičs - Latvia
- Sylvana Haddad - Lebanon
- Martynas Pravilonis - Lithuania
- Giovanni Curcio - Luxembourg
- Jeff Thomé - Mauritius
- Dumitru Coslet - Moldova
- Bojan Vukasojevic - Montenegro
- Kamel Essbai - Morocco
- Lukas Wiegman - Netherlands
- Francesco Marzola - Norway
- Tomasz Żak - Poland
- Marc Pinto - Portugal
- Mihai Ciucur - Romania
- Vuk Vuletić - Serbia
- Miroslav Pleško - Slovakia
- Valentin Bufolin - Slovenia
- Jo Wessels - South Africa
- Gabriel Lucas - Spain
- Emma Ziemann - Sweden
- Mikaël Grou - Switzerland
- Mustafa Zorluoğlu - Turkey
- Maryna Revkova - Ukraine
- Vincenzo Arnese - United Kingdom
- Tawanda Marume - Zimbabwe
ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 finale
The finale will be held on Friday, 15 November at 14h00 Central European Time. It will also be broadcast live to the world via YouTube.
Future contests
The ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 precedes the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the Americas 2025 (Sonoma, California, 17-21 February 2025), the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Asia and Pacific 2025 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7-11 September 2025), and the ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World 2026 (Lisbon, Portugal).