Our ASI Boot Camp Malaysia 2022 participant Mark Ron Patana reports…

Our selection of candidates for the 2024 ASI Bootcamp in Sevilla is underway!

ASI Bootcamps are a fantastic initiative set up by ASI to help those somms who have not as yet experienced international contests and who are planning their study careers ahead of entering such exciting events.

UKSA has sent members to the previous Bootcamps in Malaysia and Quito.

Mark Ron (Malaysia) and Chris (Quito) have both returned from the training inspired, enthused and greatly impressed by the organisation, the expertise and knowledge shared by the lecturers and the camaraderie between participants. But you don’t have to take our word for it. We asked them to share their experience with you.

This is the first of two reports, from Mark ron Patana who went to Malaysia in 2022, to give you insight into what the ASI Bootcamp is like from a first-hand perspective!

What motivated you to do the ASI Bootcamp?

During the World Best Young Sommelier of the Year by Chaîne de Rotisseurs in 2021, Nikolai Svorte, who represented Norway, ended up winning. He attended the first boot camp ever, in Warsaw earlier that year and told me that the ASI Boot Camp played a huge role in understanding how competition worked and how to prepare for them. It was then I told myself that I would do anything I could to be part of the next one.

What part did the UKSA take in you going?

To attend the ASI Boot Camp you need to be nominated by your national association and then go through a selection. Initially, it was meant to be for one of the finalists of the UK SOTY but Nicolas (Clerc - UKSA President) and Nina (Basset - UKSA Vice-President) decided to recognise how much I wanted to attend the Boot Camp. 

Nicolas told me "If you don’t ask you will never be given”.

Being the first who went to the Bootcamp representing the UK is an incredible honour and something I am proud of.

How did you find the ASI boot camp and what benefits were there for you then and since?

The boot camp gave me the chance to learn from the best in the industry who had passed the exams I was working on and won the competitions I dreamed of winning. It gave me the possibility to create relationships from all over the world, which if nurtured will last a lifetime. It was not just of benefit professionally but on the personal side, it was incredible and demonstrated the most beautiful parts of our industry. 

Being able to be inspired and learn from so many incredible professionals is priceless and truly an experience of a lifetime.

How did you find the support of the UK Sommelier Academy in doing the ASI bootcamp?

Words cannot express and quantify the enormous support I received during the whole process from the UKSA. From being selected as a candidate, their guidance, support and belief in me during selection and electing me through to their sponsorship of the whole trip. 

I will always be grateful to the UKSA.

What advantages (if any) do you think you have of having done the bootcamp?

Building meaningful connections with other people who are striving to be better day after day, learning from the best and being able to give back to people who haven’t been as lucky as I was. Unfortunately, only a few will be able to attend, but being able to share and give back to the community is a privilege I’d never thought I would be able to have. 

Would you recommend other Sommeliers to be part of the UKSA?

Definitely. Life has brought me to pause London and the UK but I consider myself a sommelier who was born and raised in the UK. 

What I am right now, what I was able to achieve, the training and lessons I learned, the people I get the chance to meet, all of this is thanks to what the UKSA has given me.

Mark ron Patana - UKSA Bootcamp participant - Malaysia 2022