Simone is an independent sake educator and promoter based in Melbourne, Australia. She has been travelling to various locations in Japan since 2003 and spent the best part of 2007 living in Osaka.
Her interest in, and passion for, sake has evolved from a very early fascination with Japanese culture, and over 20 years experience in the food and beverage industry ~ the past 10 of those being heavily focused on sake.

Last year, she was awarded the honorary title of Sake Samurai.

Her mission is to share the joy of sake, share sake stories and help promote sake in Australia and beyond.

Simone will work as a curator and help organise seminars and various content at the festival.

“I am delighted to come on board the Australian Sake Festival team. I look forward to working together with such a wonderfully dedicated, creative and passionate team to further promote sake in Australia through the festival and various other events.

There has been such a fabulous response already, (from the first two Sake Festivals), and I am looking forward to the growth of this event, strengthening connections with breweries in Japan, and also helping to encourage more people in Australia to discover, explore and enjoy the wonderful world of sake!”