Toshio Ueno DipWSET is the BNIA Certified Armagnac Educator, WSET Wine and Spirits Educator, international drinks specialist and the creator of Sake School of America, and 1st professional in the world to achieve holding following titles Master of Sake (酒匠), Master Sake Sommelier (日本酒学講師), WSET Sake Educator diploma and WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits. Born in Japan where his family has grown Japanese wine grape, Koshu, for generations, Toshio grew up helping the business from a young age. Following his college education in the US and employment at an international trading company in Tokyo, Toshio joined Chateraise, a pastry and wine maker as Director of Sales. There, he was put in charge of overseeing the personal wine collection of the company's president, which intrigued him to enter the world of wine stewardship and research. Toshio joined Mutual Trading Company in 2002, where he is Global Ambassador & Director of Sake Education Resources Division, focusing on education and promoting Japanese foods, Sake, Shochu, wine and spirits to the mainstream American trade. With his passion and expertise in Sake, Shochu, Wine and Spirits, Toshio aims to further promote Japanese food and Sake cultures to new, international audiences. Since 2010, he has been Vice President & Executive Instructor at Sake School of America. In 2016 he was awarded the industry’s most prestigious title Sake Samurai from Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association. In 2021, he was appointed as The Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In 2023 he received Foreign Minister's Commendation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. And this year he was appointed as Gin Rectifier by The Gin Guild in the UK. He serves board director for Society of Wine Educators, and is a member of The Circle of Wine Writers and Association of Wine Educators.