On 28/08/2020, WGSHA hosted a webinar with Mr. Magandeep Singh, Sommelier and co- founder of Institute of Wine and Beverage Studies. The beneficiaries of the webinar were students of B.A. Culinary Arts and B.H.M.

The session started very well on time with an introduction of chief guest followed by an address by the principal Chef K Thirugnansambantham. This was followed by a key note address by the speaker, Mr. Magandeep Singh. Mr. Singh started his address by differentiating between a sommelier and a wine waiter and he clearly described the role of a Sommelier in a pub, fine dine restaurant, standalone restaurant and Hotels. He further added to this by saying sommelier is a vast subject because what can be eaten, drunk, smoked etc. needs to be known to a sommelier and told that a sommelier is a Modern Genius .

Mr. Singh spelled out the 4 traits of a sommelier which includes Time Travelling, Knowledge of History, Storytelling and Money Making. He says that it is important to understand the mood of a guest and pairing beverages with food is a very personalized thing. It has no rigid rules but it depends on the situation, occasion and mood of the person.

Mr. Singh stressed upon the value of discipline, curiosity and being humble and approachable in the field of sommelier and how being so can help one scale greater heights of success in the field.

Mr. Magandeep Singh kept the forum open for question and answer session after his 25 minutes talk. Students posed a lot of questions which Mr. Singh answered with his sheer knowledge and wisdom. The session concluded very well on time with a vote of thanks.