A wine service experience during her internship at Wynn Macau became a pivotal moment in Diana Zeng Shiwen’s professional journey. At the time, the UTM undergraduate student, in Tourism Event Management programme, was working at a Forbes five-starred restaurant when she served what she described as a “special guest” who had exacting standards and posed a series of technical questions about wine regions, grape varieties, winery backgrounds, and food pairing.
Thanks to her solid training and calm composure, Diana handled the challenge well, only to later discover the guest was a Forbes evaluator. This unexpected encounter not only earned her high praise, but also sparked her passion for wine knowledge and motivated her to quickly obtain the internationally recognised WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Sake.
However, Diana’s enthusiasm was no accident. Back in her second year of university, she met Mr. Oscar Ho, a lecturer at Faculty of Innovative Hospitality Management, through UTM’s Wine Appreciation Club. Under his mentorship, she was inspired to explore the depth of a field that blends nature, history, and culture. “Wine holds an immense breadth of knowledge. Every detail is a study in itself. I have since developed a keen interest in wine and identified my path forward,” she shared.
Later, Diana became the President of the Wine Appreciation Club, assisted in organising nearly 50 professional events and representing the group at several international exchanges. These included the Macau International Trade & Investment Fair, the Arts and Culture Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, and the Left Bank Bordeaux Cup – where her team became the first student delegation from Macao to compete.
Reflecting on her decision to pursue studies at UTM, the Guangzhou native said: “In the hospitality industry, theory and practice must go hand in hand. Neither can stand alone. That is also the educational philosophy our university strongly upholds. The curriculum is rich with practice-based courses that allow us to engage directly in planning and execution. I have always believed that opportunities are hard-won and must be seized. By being part of university activities and expressing yourself boldly, you open the door to greater possibilities through continuous trial and growth.”
As for her short-term plans, Diana intends to further her studies by pursuing a related master’s degree at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, focusing on wine and tasting culture. She believes deeper academic training and exploration will strengthen her understanding of the field – not only refining practical skills such as sensory evaluation and flavour analysis, but also deepening her grasp of the historical, cultural, and industry contexts that give wine its unfading significance.
- Diana gained valuable experience from the Left Bank Bordeaux Cup.
- Diana actively engaged in the UTM’s Wine Appreciation Club tutorial classes, savouring fine wines along the way.
- During her internship, Diana demonstrated composed professionalism under pressure, earning high recognition for her performance.