"I have opened the door: I will hold it for others to enter"

Master Sommelier, Kamal Malik is the first Indian to pass the top qualification of the Court of Master Sommeliers. His story, as he tells it to Ruma Singh is both inspiring and dramatic

- Ruma Singh

Master Sommelier. Two words that carry considerable weight in the wine world. So much so, that there are a mere 281 in the world today who are entitled to append this post-nominal after their name. The highest qualification of the Court of Master Sommeliers’ 4-tier qualification has seen more heartbreak stories than success.

Kamal Malik, with a long and successful career in hospitality, won his MS pin the hard way in August 2024. His story is fascinating — the ultimate Indian success story. Coming from a family of agriculturalists based in a village near Delhi to becoming a top Sommelier and expert in wine, spirits and sake is no mean achievement.

Based in the Maldives, Kamal works for Asia’s largest wine distribution company, Maritime and Mercantile International, a subsidiary of Emirates. He spoke at length about his background, his introduction to wine, and the obstacles and difficulties he encountered on his journey to becoming a Master Sommelier. A man of composure and quiet intelligence, his fortitude shone through along with his quiet humour.

Excerpts from the interview: It is known that to achieve the level of Master Sommelier is a long, arduous journey. Can you trace this journey in brief? What was your first reaction when you heard you had become India’s first MS and one of only 281 in the world?

After I got my Advanced Sommelier pin, I was offered a seat for the Master Sommelier exam in 2018 — someone dropped out at the last minute. I took it, as seats are hard to come by. This helped me understand the format and prepare for the next time. 2019 came and was a heartbreak year: I was unable to pass any part. Then 2020 and 2021 were Covid years, when I was unable to travel to the UK for the exam. I considered giving it all up, but my wife and friends pushed me to continue.