Fifth Taste Sake School is the only school on the West Coast certified to teach both the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and Sake Sommelier Association (SSA) programs, and as such, we pride ourselves on being a leader in sake education nationwide. We utilize two decades of experience in sake education to bring you classes that are approachable, informative, inclusive, and fun!
Wine & Spirits Education Trust
WSET is the leading organization for wine and spirts education worldwide. With over 800 affiliate schools around the world, WSET seeks to empower professionals and enthusiasts through their comprehensive suite of qualifications and unique approach to tasting. In 2015, WSET added sake to their list of courses and has quickly become one of the leaders in comprehensive sake education. At Fifth Taste Sake School we offer both the WSET Sake Level 1 and Sake Level 3 qualifications.
Sake Sommelier Association
The Sake Sommelier Association has, for over 20 years, been at the vanguard of international sake education. As the first organization to offer sake education outside of Japan, SSA continues to satisfy the needs of sake professionals around the world. Through their courses, SSA delivers on their promise to expand the understanding and love for this delicious beverage. We offer the Introductory Sake Professional course as well as the Certified Sake Sommelier course. Start your journey to become a Sale Sommelier today!
USE OF PROFESSIONAL TITLE AND TERMINOLOGY —
You may not, legally or ethically, use the title “Sake Sommelier” 酒ソムリエ unless you have passed the Certified Sake Sommelier® examination and have been duly awarded this professional certification by the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA), who solely confer this title.
For the avoidance of doubt, and with reference to the Sake Service Institute (SSI), Japan; any qualification earned from the International Kikisake-shi 唎酒師 class provided by SSI (or any trainer or affiliated provider of theirs) confers the title “International Kikisake-Shi”, (with a literal translation of sake specialist or sake tasting instructor/teacher); it does not confer the title “Sake Sommelier” nor "Certified Sake Sommelier", as this is awarded solely by the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA).
Both programs offer a strong overview of sake basics: sake making, production methods, sake styles/profiles, etc. Each course also has its own unique tasting method and will make you a much better sake taster, the way they differ: SSA is more service-oriented: focusing more on history, culture, serving etiquette and food pairing. If your goal is to become more skilled at understanding, presenting and serving sake, SSA is the place to start. WSET focuses more on brewing methods, production choices, regionality and diverse styles in greater detail. If you are looking for a deeper dive into the elements of sake making, how production choices affect the finished product, the sake industry as a whole and one of the most challenging advanced sake certifications in the world, WSET may be right for you.
Jesse Pugach
Jesse’s journey to become a sake educator began back in 2005 as the Beverage Director for Ozumo Restaurant. It was here that he found a voice for demystifying sake and communicating his passion for this revered beverage. Later in his career, as a distributor sake specialist, he further honed his craft by teaching the wonders of sake to countless servers, bartenders and beverage professionals. In 2016, Jesse became a Certified Educator for WSET, administering their world-renowned sake programs and in 2022 added the prestigious Sake Sommelier Association to his educational offerings. As the founder of Fifth Taste Sake School, Jesse strives to continue spreading sake education far and wide to an inquisitive and thirsty audience.
Kerry Jo “KJ” Rizzo
KJ is a wine and sake sommelier in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has 15 years of experience in the beverage industry, most recently as Wine Director/GM of the wine bar and art gallery Hôtel Biron. In addition to her profession in wine, she specializes in sake and provides experiences and educational events to clients around the Bay Area. KJ spent 4 years working at True Sake, the first sake-only retail shop in the US. It was here that she deepened her love for sake and passion for spreading the sake gospel. In her spare time, she is a busy MW student and judges for competitions such as the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London. KJ is devoted to bringing premium sake to the forefront of Americans’ minds so they can experience the magic of this delightful and inspiring beverage.
