THE staff of the Margaux Restaurant are surfing these days on champagne bubbles. One of their most popular staffers, Selina Kwong, has just won the coveted Sommelier of the Year award, presented by the Hong Kong Wine Society.
The corks are popping. And for good reason. Ms Kwong, the head sommelier of the Kowloon Shangri-La's premier restaurant, is a 12-year veteran in the industry and one of the few female sommeliers in Asia, not to mention Hong Kong. She beat 19 contestants from other hotels and restaurants.
Not only did she successfully complete the blind tasting but her scores on the written part nearly got in the way of flights arriving at Kai Tak. The award for such diligence is a round-trip ticket to France. And more work.
Next April, she will visit Epernay, France's cradle of champagne, and have the opportunity to practise her French as she shares her considerable knowledge. She will be the guest sommelier at Le Royal Champagne Restaurant, owned by Moet et Chandon.
Besides working until midnight six days a week, taking correspondence courses in wine and devouring books on the subject, she spends what little spare time remains she has sleuthing local wine shops and department stores.
''Since my day is so long, I don't have much time. But when I am home alone, I like a glass of white (Sancerre or Chablis). Or a bottle of red (a Bordeaux (St. Estephe or St. Julien) and a creamy cheese, a Cambombozola.'' IF you're around Seibu Food Hall this Saturday, make a detour to Pacific Wine Cellars. There will be an informal tasting of Greek wines by Boutari. Corks lift-off between 3pm and 5pm.
