LESLEY LIU
Head sommelier at Odette, No.25 The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025
Lesley Liu firmly believes that a great sommelier should not be defined by gender or background, but by knowledge, technical skills and passion. Through her work as a member of the Sommelier Association of Singapore, she hopes to inspire more women to join the world of wine by providing mentorship to young aspiring sommeliers.
The backstory
Born in Taiwan, Liu first discovered her calling at the prestigious National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism in Taiwan. After graduating, she began her career as a commis chef at the now closed Le Moût alongside chef Lanshu Chen. Chef Chen played a pivotal role in Liu's career, encouraging her to pursue her passion for wine. Next, she made her mark as a sommelier in one of the top restaurants in Asia, Shanghai's Maison Lameloise.
Rising star
Since joining Odette in 2019, Liu has risen through the ranks from assistant sommelier to head sommelier. Today, she continues to hone her skills and sharpen her palate, obtaining her Advanced Sommelier Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Level 3 Award from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and qualification from the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. In both 2021 and 2023, she emerged as Champion of Sopexa's Singapore's Best Sommelier in French Wines, one of the most esteemed wine competitions in Asia.
