Speaker Profile

Simone Maynard, the Sake Mistress, is based in Melbourne, Australia.

She is a Sake Samurai, a Sake Sommelier, an Independent Sake Educator & Consultant.

Founder of the ‘Taste with the Toji’ project.
Host of ‘Taste with the Toji’ podcast.

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, Japanese sake has evolved from a very early fascination with Japanese culture.

She has over 20 years experience in the food and beverage industry, and over the past decade has made sake her focus. Her mission is to share sake stories along with the joy of sake and help promote this unique and delicious beverage, its rich history, and the incredible people behind it, in Australia and beyond. In 2022, she was appointed as a ‘Sake Samurai’ ~ an honour that recognises individuals who promote sake and Japanese culture globally.

* 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
* Appointed as Sake Samurai, 2022
* Completed JSS Academy Course, Tokyo 2023