The Sake Sommelier Association (SSA) is a global partnership of talented educators providing and accrediting sake courses and working to benefit the world of sake. It is the first organisation based outside of Japan that is solely committed to sake education and promotion worldwide. Created in 2000, by sommelier Xavier Chapelou and sake expert Kumiko Ohta in London, it was the first organisation in the United Kingdom to offer formalised sake education. - Objective - The SSA's objective is to strive to develop global education and awareness of sake; and to increase opportunities for students to learn the rich cultural history of sake. Alongside this we aim to advance sake demand and consumption on a global scale. - EDUCATION - Sake Sommelier Academy Operating from the London-based Sake Sommelier Academy and our partners across 6 continents, the SSA offers a range of high-level certified courses for students of all experience levels. Our sake education courses offered are provided world-wide, including Italy, Austria, Singapore, America, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Spain, China, Norway and more! - CHALLENGE - Sake Challenges Hosted annually since 2012, the first Sake Challenge took place in London, and was joined by it's sister competition the Milano Sake Challenge in 2019. The London Sake Challenge was the first competition of it's kind Europe, taking sake entries from breweries across Japan and the wider world to be evaluated by our trained Sake Sommeliers. Judging by taste, quality, labelling and packaging, Sake Challenges seek to find the best in sake and bring exciting drinks to new markets! - COMPETITION - Sake Sommelier of the Year The Sake Sommelier of the Year competition, pioneered by the SSA and now jointly hosted alongside our partners, looks to find and celebrate those individuals with exceptional sake sommelier skills. Originally held in London, the SSotY now travels to a new locale each year, allowing us to reach even more sake sommeliers