Baku Takahashi

Baku Takahashi was born in Japan with both of his parents coming from major sake producing regions of Akita and Miyagi, which assured a good exposure to the sake world from his early time. As he travels and works internationally, his interest in conveying the stories of sake grew over time, which led him to become a certified sake educator. Apart from being the Certified Sake Educator under the SSA, he is also a SSI-certified International Kikisakeshi and WSET Level 3 Sake and Educator. Based in Hanoi, Vietnam since 2007, he has been providing a number of training courses for international hotels and restaurants and organizing a series of sake related events and dinners in the country with his passion, creating new experiences for current and future sake lovers.

Tam Le Dang Vinh

Originally from Vietnam, Tam Le Dang Vinh brings a unique perspective from a country rich in rice culture and culinary heritage.

With a background in F&B management, he explores the cultural depth of sake through travel, judging, and education, driven by a passion for its elegance, diversity, and culture.

Although already holding numerous qualifications in sake (SSA’s CSS, WSET, CSP, 国際唎酒師, SSC, JSSA), Tam believes his journey is just beginning. For him, every day brings new things to learn, sake is a world that never stops growing.

Last but not least, he is especially thankful to his mentor, SSA Sake Educator and Sake Samurai Baku Takahashi, who poured him his first sake and introduced him to this rabbit hole, and continues to inspire his journey