ThomasThomas was Malaysia’s first and among South East Asia’s original Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers, UK) since 2006, an accredited International Bourgogne & Bordeaux Wine Educator (BIVB & CIVB, France) and is both a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits (CSW, CSS) with the Society of Wine Educators, USA.

Thomas was appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) as an official Japanese Cuisine Special Goodwill Ambassador in recognition and support of his continued efforts of promoting Japan’s culture through its ‘Kokushu’ – national drinks: saké, shochu and awamori. He is also appointed as an “Awamori Jinbner” by the Okinawa Prefecture Awamori Distillers Association of Japan.

He is a Certified Sake Educator & Sommelier with the SSA for over a decade.

Ling is also a qualified sake professional – Kikisake-shi (Sake Service Institute, Japan), a certified sake professional (SEC, Japan) and an accredited sake tutor (WSET, UK).

Thomas is regularly invited as a speaker for regional trade industry seminars & an experienced panel judge in various established international wine, spirits and sake competitions, from London, Japan, Cape Town to Hong Kong, namely the International Wine Challenge (IWC), International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (United Nations of Fine Wines), Michelangelo Int’l Wines and Spirits Awards (MIWSA), and The HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair.

He has worked in various wine & spirits regions during his 23 years journey in the industry and currently serves as principal partner / lead trainer at Entwine, a consultancy offering niche business solutions for the food and beverage industry in the South East Asia / Far East region.