Kamil Essbai has claimed the Château Roslane Trophy as Best Sommelier of Morocco 2019. Essbai is sommelier and beverage manager at Iloli restaurant in Casablanca, making this the first time that the prestigious title has gone to that city.
The final round of the national contest was held on November 25th in the magnificent setting of the Hotel Selman, Marrakech. The jury led by William Wouters, Vice President of ASI Europe, culled the pool of seven semi-finalists down to three final contenders: El Moktar Alia of the Royal Mansour, Marrakech; Imam Benrahhou of the Secret Gallery, Casablanca and Essbai.
Essbai’s work isn’t done yet. He will join Abdelghafour Sadek (winner from 2018) and Zakaria Wahbi (2017 champion) on January 20th in Casablanca, together with three other finalists from previous competitions, for another contest, to be chaired by Giuseppe Vaccarini, Best Sommelier of the World 1978. It will determine who will represent Morocco at the ASI Contest of the Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa in Cyprus in November 2020.