A bit about Tori Ames - the person behind the emails!
The final member of the UKSA team to introduce is Tori Ames.
Tori said “Though I’m not from the wine world, I was warmly welcomed into the UKSA family last year. I quickly connected with the incredible passion the board and members have for fine wine and hospitality. The UK Sommelier Academy is a unique and special organization with strong values, vision, and ambition to be an inclusive asset to professionals in the UK beverage industry. While I never met the late Gerard Basset, I’ve learned about his profound influence on the industry and have witnessed the board build on his legacy, making me excited to assist in their aims.
I handle the administration, communication, and marketing for UKSA. Our goal is to represent as many wine and beverage professionals in the UK as possible, fostering a rich diversity of experience, mutual support, and knowledge sharing to serve everyone, regardless of their role, professional ambitions, career level, or geographical location.
As the only UKSA team member on the payroll, my focus is to alleviate the workload from the others, who generously volunteer their time, so they can concentrate on what they do best.
Originally from the UK, I’ve lived in Central and South America, Spain, France, and Sydney, Australia. Missing the rain (ok, not so much), I moved back to the UK and now live in Norwich. My love for travel remains strong, and as I work remotely and have three nationalities, I plan to live overseas for three months each year. I’ve just returned from the Camino de Santiago (to the rain!).
In my other professional life, I’m an artist, predominantly working with collages. I love color and creating pieces that make people smile.
I feel very blessed to be part of the UKSA. The people—both our members and the Board—make it an incredible organization. The genuine love and belief in all that it stands for infuse UKSA with far more than the sum of its parts.
I look forward to attending more events and meeting people in person. Until then, you’ll know who is behind the info@uksommelier.com email. Please get in contact with any needs, comments, or just to say hello!”