Macao University of Tourism (UTM) Faculty of Innovative Hospitality Management (FIHM) successfully held the workshop “How to Become a Sommelier?” on March 25. UTM alumnus and current MGM Macau sommelier Mr. Tommy Tong was invited as the guest speaker, attracting many students interested in the hotel industry, food and beverage management, and wine culture.
During the workshop, Mr. Tong shared his journey from a wine enthusiast to a professional sommelier, covering professional sommelier training, international certification systems, and career development paths from entry‑level to advanced roles. Drawing from his experience at MGM Macau, he also explained the responsibilities and daily challenges of sommeliers in fine‑dining environments, giving students a clearer and more realistic understanding of the profession.
Participants had the opportunity to taste two premium wines sponsored by Bevtech Macau. Mr. Tong guided students through tasting techniques, aroma identification methods, and principles of wine‑and‑food pairing, enabling them to acquire practical sommelier skills through interactive learning.
Students commented that the workshop was rich in content and highly practical—not only deepening their understanding of wine culture but also inspiring greater interest in the sommelier profession. Lecturer and event organizer Oscar Man Cheng Ho stated that similar career‑sharing activities will continue to be arranged to support students in exploring diverse development pathways.
