Simone is based in Melbourne. She has been traveling 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, (with a focus on sake for the decade). Her mission is to share sake stories along with the joy of sake and help promote this unique and delicious beverage, and its rich history, in Australia and beyond.
- Independent sake consultant, promoter and educator
- Awarded the honorary title of Sake Samurai in 2022
- Founder/Host: Taste with the Toji project (since 2020)
- Sake Podcast host on TWTT
* Completed WSET Sake Level 3, 2017
* Completed John Gauntner's Sake Professional Course in Tokyo, 2018
* Completed John Gauntner's Advanced Sake Professional Course in Tokyo, 2019
* Selected Finalist at Sake Sommelier Awards, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2019

• Sake Sommelier
• Sake Samurai
• Owner of EUREKA! (Tokyo, Japan)

Marie Chiba hails from Iwate Prefecture. Initially a systems engineer in the insurance industry, she transitioned to the food and beverage sector out of a passion for the field. During her time working in various restaurants, she became captivated by sake, leading her to visit sake breweries and liquor stores across Japan. Through participating in training at the National Research Institute of Brewing, she acquired extensive knowledge of sake.

Marie is renowned for offering sake tailored to individual preferences, using her scientific insights to enhance the experience. She has popularized the concepts of in-mouth seasoning and pairing, creating new sake experiences. Marie collaborates with chefs and experts from various culinary fields to explore innovative styles of sake. In 2019, she was appointed a "Sake Samurai," an honor that recognizes individuals who promote sake and Japanese food culture globally. Marie continues to captivate sake enthusiasts both domestically and internationally.

Books:
In Love with Sake by Marie Chiba and Hanako Mejirushi / Shufu-to-Seikatsu-Sha
Cutting-Edge Sake Pairing by Marie Chiba and Jin Utsunomiya / Asahiya Publishing

Film:
Kampai! Sake Sisters
Starring: Miho Imada, Marie Chiba, Rebecca Wilson-Lye
Distributor: Shinka

Wadaiko Rindo was established in Melbourne in 1996 and continues to perform as a pioneer of Wadaiko, Japanese drumming, in Australia.

Currently based in Melbourne and Sydney, Wadaiko Rindo performs over 100 performances and workshops a year at music festivals, multicultural projects, sporting events, corporate functions, school shows and more.

Wadaiko Rindo have not only entertained Australian audiences, but they have also represented their unique blend of Australian and Japanese drumming further afield to countries like Fiji, Tonga, Singapore, China, New Caledonia, and Samoa.