It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to our panel of judges.

We are certainly indebted to Salvatore and his team for all their efforts and professionalism ensuring that the Semi-final and Final were faultless in their organisation and implementation.

Marie Jones
Chair, Jeunes Sommeliers Competition Committee
International Vice-President

Salvatore Castano (Chair)
Officier Maître Sommelier, Bailliage of Great Britain
Salvatore began working in hospitality aged 15 as a summer job in Sicily. After graduation, he made the decision to travel and work in restaurants around the world.

Salvatore says he naturally became very curious about wines and spirits. He decided to take some courses and improve his knowledge. Beginning his career in London as a Commis Sommelier in one of Alain Ducasse’s restaurants, The Dorchester, Salvatore encountered Sommeliers who had already started the Court of Master Sommeliers programme and so his rise through the ranks commenced.

Salvatore commented, “The first thing that I learned when I became a Sommelier was to always be humble and never forget the past.” In 2021 he earned the title of ASI Best Sommelier Europe & Africa. He is currently Head Sommelier and On Trade Advisor at Friarwood, a renowned wine boutique in London.

Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Maître Sommelier, Bailliage of Great Britain
Master Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
Kathrine gained her MS credential from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2013, the same year that she was named UK Young Sommelier of the Year. In 2014 she took the senior title by being named UK Sommelier of the Year.

Her career in hospitality began in 2002 interning for several Michelin 1 and 2-star restaurants, while at the same time studying at Copenhagen Hospitality College.

In September 2024 Kathrine followed Ronan Sayburn MS as Director of Wines at 67 Pall Mall where she leads a large team of sommeliers in this world-renowned London Wine Club. Previous career highlights include being Head Sommelier at Pont de la Tour, Orrey, and Zuma restaurants in London. For the nine years prior to joining 67 Pall Mall she was Head of Fine Wines for Enotria Wine Merchants.

Originally from Copenhagen, she lives in London. She is married to Clement Robert MS who won the 2010 International Final held in Santander, Spain.

Tamás Czinki MS
Maître Sommelier, Bailliage of Hungary
Master Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
Tamás was the first Hungarian Master Sommelier. Based in Budapest, he works both as Wine Director for Felix Kitchen and Bar and a consultant for Culinaris Wholesale where he is developing an extended portfolio of fine wines.

Previously Tamás spent nearly 10 years in the United Kingdom where he worked as Head Sommelier at the Michelin-starred Northcote Manor in Lancashire under the leadership of Managing Director Craig Bancroft.

In 2018, Tamás was a double runner-up: in the Bailliage of Great Britain’s Jeunes Sommelier Competition and in the “Best Sommelier of UK” final. He has been a judge in both national and international Sommelier competitions for the last five years.

Eugénia “Genny” Queiroz
Échanson, Bailliage of Portugal
Wine professional at Origens restaurant in Évora, Genny was awarded Best Female Sommelier of 2023 by the W-Awards, in addition to winning the gold medal in the Fernando Ferramentas National Championship.

Her career started during university and since then, Genny has been involved with tourism and hospitality, leading her to formal education in sommellerie.

She sees the Jeunes Sommeliers Competition as a valuable platform for those starting in the career, aligned with the Chaîne’s values of striving for excellence, providing opportunities for growth and professional appreciation. The awards and her involvement reflect not only her personal commitment but also the positive impact on Portugal's wine scene.