PCI's Entire First Graduating Class Passes Certified Sommelier Exam

The Professional Culinary Institute is pleased to announce that 100% of their first ever graduating sommelier students passed the Court of Master Sommeliers beginning and certified sommelier exams. Historically, only 65% of those who have attempted the certified sommelier exam without the certified sommelier program have passed. These exams are part of the 4-step path to the ultimate international wine credential, Master Sommelier (MS). They immediately followed the students' completion of PCI's 10-week full-time Certified Sommelier Program.

The program covers every major wine region in the world, basics of winemaking, food and wine pairing, restaurant service and blind tasting methodology. Beer, spirits, cigars and wine program management are also taught. The curriculum was created by Wine Department Chair, David Glancy, MS in conjunction with the Court of Master Sommeliers. It is the first school ever approved by the Court of Master Sommeliers and was expressly designed to prepare students for the Certified Sommelier exam.

David Glancy, MS oversees the program and teaches many of the classes. Other industry heavyweights teaching at PCI include: Master Sommeliers Brian Cronin, Catherine Fallis, Robert Bath, and Reggie Narito, as well as Certified Wine Educators Rebecca Chapa and David Furer. Individual classes are also taught by Port producer and importer Bartholomew Broadbent, brew master Dan Gordon and winemakers Eric Baugher, Bill Cooper and Marty Mathis.

The London based Court of Master Sommeliers created the Certified Sommelier credential in 2005 in response to the increasing need for qualified wine professionals. The four steps to becoming a Master Sommelier are the Introductory, Certified, Advanced and Master exams. Since the first exam in 1969, only 145 people in the world have passed the final exam to become an MS.

The Professional Culinary Institute is located at 700 West Hamilton Avenue, Suite 300, in Campbell, CA. PCI’s Certified Sommelier Program launched in 2006. Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry and Hospitality Management programs are also offered. For more information, please call 1-888-PCI-LEARN or visit our website at www.pciwine.com.