Meeting with Tommy Lam, a Chinese Alumni from the "Wine Management" Programme at KEDGE Bordeaux.

Friday March 9th, Shanghai.

We have an appointment with Tommy Lam at the Roosevelt Sky Restaurant, a prestigious place in the Shanghai Bund*, which has its own wine cellar with wine from around the world, a rooftop bar and a restaurant, with an amazing view over Pudong.

As soon as we get there, Tommy introduces us to Franck, one of his former students, who now works as a sommelier at the restaurant. Franck immediately takes us to visit the impressive wine cellar. From France to China, as well as New Zealand, every continent is represented.

Back with Tommy, we talk about his educational background over a glass of wine: lots of certifications, an MBA in "Wine Management" from KEDGE Bordeaux, as well as the Hautes Etudes du Goût by Le Cordon Bleu Paris/Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne. He tells us that he chose KEDGE Bordeaux because of the school's reputation and because of the degree in the wine and restaurant industry. Indeed, he was able to meet professionals from the wine industry in Bordeaux, but also in France, which enabled him to make a lot of contacts. It also helped him travel to several wine producing countries.

Photo of Tommy Lam and Franck, one of his former students who now works as a sommelier at the Roosevelt Sky Restaurant

After drinks, Tommy takes us for a walk along the Bund and tells us about his previous experiences. After working in the tourism industry in Hong Kong for 16 years, then for nine years in hotel management in Hong Kong and Singapore, he worked for 17 years in the restaurant industry in Singapore. In 2015, he created WISDOM, an educational programme based on knowledge and services related to wine. He teaches at several universities in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and in Florida. The programme has been followed by 4,000 students in Asia (Malaysia, India, Maldives, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Macao, Korea, and Japan).

Then we arrive at Joël Rebuchon's workshop, a French Chef, who has the world's most Guide Michelin stars. We met Arneis Wu, who was recently named best sommelier in China, and is one of Tommy Lam's former students. Over a glass of French wine, Tommy tells us about his professional activities. Indeed, he is an oenology professor and trains future sommeliers. He has also created several associations and alliances in Asia, including The Asia Sommelier Associations Alliance or the Southest and Taiwan Sommelier Associations Alliance. Additionally, he organises lots of events and competitions around wine, where he often acts as judge. To just cite a few: the Asia Top Sommeliers Summit (since 2009), Asia Vino Forum (since 2010), and more recently One Belt One Road International Sommelier Summit and Competition (2018).

Tommy Lam and Arneis Wu, a former student and best sommelier in Chine

To finish the night off right, Tommy took us to a typical restaurant near Nanjing Road, where we enjoyed Shanghai specialities. He talked to us about his wish to drink Pomerol with his dinner. His last piece of advice for recent graduates that want to move to China is to not think about it too much and to just go for it, there is a lot to gain and learn. 

Article written by the Kedge Asian Success team, composed of Romane Clerc, Cyril Colliot and Maud Ribaucourt.

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