David Wong, Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Department of Institute For Tourism Studies, has been selected as Associate Judge in the inaugural competition of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (Hong Kong ICWSC), the world’s first truly Asian wine competition, held on 31 October to 04 November 2009. David, on top of his managerial role in the Institute’s F&B department, also lectures on theory of culinary, food and beverage management and wine studies of the Bachelor Degree Programme. IFT, being the Authorised Training Centre of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), David is one of the main instructors of the certificate courses. He holds a Master of Arts in Hospitality Management from Birmingham College, UK, a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) and a Cornell Master Certificate in Hotel Management. He has also written a cookbook titled “The Art of Modern Portuguese Cuisine” and is the founder of the Macau Culinary Association. David is an honorary advisor for the Association of Bartenders and Sommeliers in Macau and is an approved tutor of Wine and Spirit Education Trust certificate courses. David has many years of experience in the industry, having worked with the late Jean Bordier (Mellieur Ouvrier de France and Chairman of the Master Chefs of France) at the L’Aubergade in France, Anton Mosimann at his private club in London, Raymond Blanc at his 2 Michelin star “Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons” in Oxford, UK and Rick Stein (OBE) in Padstow, UK follow by working in Asia at Mandarin Oriental, Westin and Sheraton properties. The Hong Kong IWSC saw a top class panel of Asia’s most esteemed wine judges from PRC, Chinese Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and India; a move that ensured results were an accurate reflection of the pan-Asian palate. Debra Meiburg MW, Director of the Hong Kong IWSC said, “We are delighted to have David Wong on the esteemed panel of judges. David is a well respected member of the Asian wine community and has demonstrated independence and a commitment to recognising quality wines in the region.” As the largest wine competition in Asia, judges tasted nearly 1300 wines from around the world at the Hong Kong IWSC. Key procedures included blind tasting, anonymously-poured sample and a judging panel selected from outside of the wine trade community (including wine journalists, commentators, educators, food and beverage professionals, wine buyers and private collectors) implemented to ensure the absolute integrity of the competition’s results. IFT is gratified by the appointment of David Wong as the Associate Judge of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition. This is an acknowledgment of the standard of IFT’s faculty and by actively participating in internationally organised events, teaching experience can be further enhanced through knowledge and experience sharing among participants.
