Serdar Balkaya is the former head sommelier of Royal Automobile Club and Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental.

He previously held the role of head sommelier at Hakkasan Group’s HKK, where he was part of the opening teams for the group’s restaurants both in the UK and abroad.

Balkaya studied tourism and hotel management in London, before going on to pass the WSET exams and the Court of Master Sommeliers’ advanced course. He is currently studying for the Master Sommelier qualification.