In August 2024, Kamal Malik etched his name in history as India's first and only Master Sommelier, a remarkable achievement that brought immense pride to the country. He was crowned the 278th Master Sommelier globally during a prestigious ceremony in Klosterneuburg, Austria, alongside five other distinguished Master Sommeliers : Anders Aragon, Kevin Lu, Paul Fauvel, Paul Robineau and Bertrand Lutaud.

Lovingly known as "Guruji," Kamal's journey transcends borders, serving as a source of inspiration not only for aspiring sommeliers in India but also across the Indian Subcontinent and the Global South.

Hailing from the quaint village of Hasanpur in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, Kamal’s rise to the pinnacle of the wine world is a living testament to the power of discipline, dedication, and perseverance. His story exemplifies that no dream is unattainable, no matter where one begins. Through sheer hard work and unwavering passion, Kamal has not only carved his own path but has also illuminated the way for others who dream of excelling in the world of wine and hospitality.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kamal Malik has seamlessly transitioned across various roles, from bartender and head sommelier to restaurant and beverage manager. His illustrious career has seen him work with renowned hospitality brands such as Hilton, Taj, and Oberoi, in both India and the Maldives. Currently, Kamal is associated with Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI) in the Maldives, where he continues to shape and influence the beverage industry.

Kamal’s profound knowledge and expertise are backed by an impressive academic portfolio, including:

• Diploma in Wine & Spirits (DipWSET) from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET)
• Advanced Certification from the Sake Sommelier Association
• Master Sommelier's Diploma, the highest honor in the wine world, awarded by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Can you share with us your earliest memories of wine? What first ignited your passion for wine, and how did you know this was the path you wanted to follow?

The first wine I ever had was Hugel Gentil in 2002, in a training conducted by Sanjay Menon at Udaivilas. I was a teetotaler bartender until that point and loved the flavours and taste of this off dry, fruity and floral wine. As a bartender in India in 2002, it was my responsibility to look after wines back then. I just started studying to make sure I know what I am doing, one thing led to another and here I am today.

Becoming a Master Sommelier is a rare and prestigious achievement. What does this title mean to you personally, beyond professional recognition?

Personally it was a challenging journey and I can proudly say that I can focus on my goals and am a focused and disciplined person (mostly) who can stay on path and fulfill commitment to self. The end goal of studying is knowledge, but the journey teaches you focus and discipline, which is a scalable quality that I got as a bonus now.

Were there any defining moments early in your life that shaped your mindset towards excellence and mastery?

A few interesting incidents, yes that get etched in your memory. My job interview for Oberoi Udaivilas in 2002, Mr. Vikram Oberoi told me what single quality they look for in a good hospitality professional – passion. Also, when Mr. Santosh Kutty, then GM of Taj Exotica told me that for an Indian to scale the path you are on (wine of course is not a common subject in our country), you have to be the best in what you do, second best will not work. I took that to heart.

Can you describe the role that family, friends, or mentors played in your wine journey? Did anyone inspire or support you in unexpected ways?

Of course, no one gets to anything alone in this world. Many mentors helped me, sometimes going out of the way to set up those rare opportunities for me. Key industry figures in the journey were Vikramaditya Singh, my first mentor, Sanjay Menon, Sunny Chuang and Rajiv Singhal. Friends and family, of course. They support and inspire at the time when you start doubting yourself.

Setting such an ambitious goal must have seemed daunting at first. How did you maintain confidence in the early stages of your journey, when success still felt far off?

The goal was never ambiguous for me, path to it was. I heard the word Court of Master Sommeliers in 2003, I knew I had to become one, there was no way though. I accumulated books and studied until the opportunity came to do an exam, in 2010. By 2012 I already had WSET level 3 and Certified Sommelier, my preparation was good enough to not face any challenges in those two. The challenge started after those levels, when I begun WSET diploma and CMS advanced. When I failed Advanced theory in 2015, I knew I would come back strong and pass. Master Sommelier was the real challenge, I was not used to failure, so the learning was handling it and moving on from it, picking up the pieces and starting all over again. That’s where the support from family comes in. My wife, who is also my best friend, kept reminding me that getting up after the fall is the real skill to learn.

The path to mastery is filled with challenges. Can you share some of the significant obstacles you encountered, inner strengths or external sources of motivation that  helped you persevere on your journey to becoming a Master Sommelier?

Possibly the most significant was Covid. In 2020 and 2022 I could not go for exam. So I had practically given up. But court of master sommeliers did not give up on me. I had paid the exam fee in 2020 January, they kept shifting it to next year when I was unable to go, I don’t know of any other organization that does that. I was busy saving my job, had no time or intention to study. In January 2022, when I got a seat again for that year, my wife said you have to go. If you don’t do this, how would you keep yourself updated in product knowledge? So I begun again.

How did you handle failure, particularly in the moments where things didn’t go as planned—whether it was a failed exam or a professional setback?

To pick myself up and get back to learning habit in 2022, after 2 years of Covid induced gap, I enrolled for WSET level 3 in Spirits, with my friends Rakesh and Arun. We went to Dubai to do the training and test, which got me going again. I was back to doing what I loved, quest for knowledge was back.

Wine education requires balancing theoretical knowledge, tasting skills, and service. Which of these areas did you find most challenging, and how did you perfect it?

For me, theory in court of master sommeliers was most challenging. The method required to master that is different from how I usually learn. I had to change my studying habits and develop multiple correlation points to create those brain triggers to find those precise and prompt answers required.

I have worked in F&B for 16 years, I knew I can pass the service exam, once I understood the format. I have been a good taster in general, it was challenging to score 75% correct for masters, but I was confident that I could manage that. Everyone have their own demons to slay, mine was theory.

You’ve likely spent years learning about countless wine regions, grape varieties, and vintages. How do you keep the passion alive for such a complex and evolving subject?

It has been a part of my work life for 22 years, I enjoy doing it, so I am happy reading and learning about it. Good wines are tasty, that helps too.

Can you describe the emotions you felt on the day you found out you had officially passed the Master Sommelier exam? Was it relief, joy, disbelief, or something more profound?

It was a mix of all. You hope and expect every time you give the exam. My first feeling was of despair, Bryan Julyan MS wasn’t very forthcoming with the result. He told me that it is always a tough exam to crack and you need to study even harder next time… at that point I was getting ready for the worst, when he said that since you are now a Master and need to be on top of the knowledge very time.

First feeling was of relief, then joy. It took good 2 to 3 weeks until I adjusted to the fact that people started calling me Master Sommelier.

What advice would you give to someone who has a seemingly impossible dream, what’s the most important mindset to cultivate on the road to like becoming a Master Sommelier?

If one person in the world can do it, everyone else can too, it will though need an equal amount of dedication and hard work. Everything takes effort though and impossible dreams only remain impossible if you give up on the effort. There is no substiture to hard work and perseverance. No one has more time on their hands than 24 hours in a day, we just have to find it for the things we want to do.

Is there an aspect of wine or a region that still excites you and that you want to explore further?

There are many, it’s just the beginning of the learning curve. Reemergence of Portuguese still wines in the old world excite me, Uruguay and China are scaling the heights of quality with each passing day. Canada is improving in leaps and bounds, there are British sparkling wines, nature amazes us every day. We would be stupid to think that we know a lot.

Beyond your personal success, what do you hope to contribute to the future of the wine industry or the sommelier profession?

I want to see a hundred Master Sommeliers in India. We are not only the most populous nation in the world, we are also at the forefront of quality hospitality, why should wine be a subject we do not know enough. Because wine is consumed with food, it will elevate the Indian dining experience and would also have a domino effect on reputation of Indian cuisine as the finest in the world. I will do my best to teach, mentor and guide these professionals where needed.

What do you hope young aspiring sommeliers take away from your story as they begin their own wine journey?

Journey is the reward. The quest should be for knowledge, recognition will follow. Also, knowledge must be followed up with the skill and its practical application. Only then it is useful.

You only fail when you stop trying...

Guruji, as he is fondly called, is not just a sommelier; he is a visionary and a mentor for countless individuals across the globe. His trailblazing journey is an inspiration for generations of aspiring sommeliers who look to his story as proof that with passion, focus, and dedication, even the loftiest of dreams can be realized.

Kamal Malik’s achievements have not only set a new benchmark for India but have also made him a global icon in the world of fine wine.