英国日本酒協会へようこそ！ Welcome to the British Sake Association!
The BSA is a not-for-profit organisation, established in 2006 by three sake enthusiasts who felt the need for a community to learn, enjoy, and discuss this wonderful elixir.
The Association creates opportunities for Members, their guests, and members of the public to dive into this fascinating world, combining aspects of Japanese culture, technical facets of brewing, and gastronomy. With a programme of events, ranging from study groups and masterclasses, fine sake pairing dinners, and – of course – our Annual Grand Tasting of Sakes, which attracts visitors and guest speakers from all over the world. We are here to wholly guide and support our Members in their sake journey.
All members of the BSA Board and Committee hold the WSET Level 3 Award in Sake as well as other advanced sake qualifications, and offer their expertise and time to BSA Members on a volunteer basis.
Our mission remains to foster the enjoyment and appreciation of sake, shōchū, and Japanese culture, within a friendly and welcoming community.
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Onwards and upwards!
The BSA Board
Shirley Booth
President and Founder
Shirley is an award-winning filmmaker and food writer. She has lived in Japan for several years and founded the British Sake Association in 2006.
Marie Cheong-Thong
Chairman
Marie is a writer, presenter, and certified educator for WSET, the Sake School of America, the International Sake School, and VSF Education. She is a Member of Circle of Wine Writers, Guild of Food Writers, and Council Member of Association of Wine Educators, and was a recipient of the 2021 Guild of Food Writers Futures Fund Bursary. Marie has over 20 years experience in international competitive judging for Sake, Wine, Spirits and Food, including as Judging Committee Member for IWSC. She received the title of Sake Samurai in 2024.
Toshio Ueno
Advisor
Toshio Ueno is the founder of Sake School of America and International Sake School. He joined Mutual Trading Company in 2002, where he is Global Ambassador & Director of Sake Education Resource Division promoting Japanese foods, Sake, and Shochu to the mainstream American trade. In 2016, he was awarded the industry’s most prestigious title Sake Samurai from Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association. In 2021, he was appointed as The Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador by MAFF. And in 2023, he was awarded Foreign Minister’s Commendation by MOF.
The BSA Committee
Henry Thorogood
Honorary Secretary
Henry is responsible for executing new growth initiatives at the BSA. He is a drinks specialist with a focus on Japanese beverage culture, and is the European Representative for Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten (brewers of Zaku). He also judges sake and wine with the IWC, and spirits with the ISC and Global Spirits Masters. Henry is a WSET Certified Educator in Sake, teaching at WSET School London, and holds the J.S.A. Sake Diploma International, WSET Diploma in Wines, and WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits.
Felix Ko
Company Secretary and Treasurer
Felix is a qualified Chartered Accountant who found unexpected solace in the world of wine and spirits during his studies. He discovered the world of sake on a trip to Japan and never looked back. Felix completed his WSET Level 3 Award in Sake with Distinction, WSET Diploma in Wines, and is a qualified ISS Shochu Advisor.
Oliver Hilton-Johnson
Sake Education Officer
Oliver is a Japanese Sake & Shōchū Specialist and is the Director of Tengu Sake, recipient of the International Wine Challenge’s ‘Sake Merchant of the Year’ award 2016 – 2019 & 2022. In 2019 Oliver was named as one of the ‘Future 50’ drinks industry professionals to watch; he is Panel Chair for both IWC Sake and IWSC Asian Spirits, as well as a judge for ISC Asian Spirits.
Gabriel Lei
Events, Media & Communications Officer
Study Groups & Masterclasses Coordinator
Gabriel holds the JSA Sake Diploma International, SSI International Kikisake-shi, WSET Level 3 in Sake (Distinction) and WSET Level 3 in Spirits (Distinction). Having lived in Japan for six years, he enjoys exploring the science, history, and politics behind Japanese culinary culture. He is well-traveled within Japan and often goes to sake brewery hopping in search of sake with unique characteristics and regionality.
Karken Chung
Memberships Systems Officer
Karken lived in Japan for four years where he naturally began his sake journey. But it wasn’t until he returned to the UK that he began his deeper study of beverages, now holding the WSET Level 3 Award in Sake, and Level 3 Award in Wines. He is always on the lookout to try new sake, and hopes to spread the joy of this delightful drink.
Sarah Stewart
Member Relations
Sarah is the sake tutor at West London Wine School and a sake judge for the IWC. She won the WSET Level 3 IWC sake prize in 2019, is a graduate of the JSS Sake & Shochu Academy and holds the JSA Sake Diploma International. Sarah also studies the Urasenke tradition of Japanese tea ceremony, and enjoys exploring the relationship between sake and tea.
John Payten
Memberships & Corporate Sponsorships Officer
John developed his interest in sake some 15 years ago, having first sampled it in in Tokyo. He attended his first BSA event in 2015, and then joined as a member. His preferences are for cold, first-press nama-zake. John has a long held an interest in Japanese culture, most notably holding a Dan grade in Renshinkai karate, as well as producing and directing a feature length documentary on British karate, entitled “Empty Hand”.
Akemi Yokoyama
Culinary Officer
Akemi is an expert in authentic Japanese cuisine and a chef. As a passionate advocate for the rich traditions of Japanese cuisine and sake, her expertise is regularly featured in various media, positioning her as a key figure in promoting Japanese culinary culture. The principal of Sozai Cooking School, Akemi is also an IWC sake judge, holds WSET Level 3 in Sake, and is a certified instructor at The Koji Academy, Japan.
Erika Haigh
Committee Member
Erika is a sake educator and sommelier, founder of Mai; a London-based boutique fine sake merchant and co-owner of Moto; the UK’s first independent Japanese sake bar, shop & eatery.
Harriet Furze
Committee Member
Harriet is an International Sake Judge with the IWC and a sake sommelier with the SSA. Harriet is a certified marker and verifier of the WSET Level 3 in Sake qualification, as well as a freelance consultant specialising in wine and sake, and educational and academic publishing.
All directors and committee members are truly committed to sake understanding its history, production and complexity of this fine elixir to wholly guide and support our BSA members. We all hold a minimum of the WSET level3 in sake besides our other achievements.
Our Sponsors
British Sake Association 英国日本酒協会 