Profile of Judge Beatrice Bessi in DWWA (Decanter World Wine Awards)
Beatrice Bessi, a renowned figure in the world of wine, is making waves in the hospitality industry, currently serving as the head sommelier at the prestigious Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, London. This five-star luxury boutique hotel, known for its restaurant and cocktail bar, has been a fitting stage for Bessi's extensive skills and passion for wine.
Bessi's journey in the hospitality sector spans over two decades. She moved from Italy to London in 2016 and began her career at 67 Pall Mall, where she started as a Junior Sommelier and worked her way up to become Assistant Head Sommelier. It was during this time that she embarked on her studies for the Court of Master Sommelier qualification, a testament to her dedication to her craft.
Bessi's hard work and expertise have not gone unnoticed. She is now a judge at the prestigious 2025 World Wine Awards, held on our website. This marks her second year on the panel, having joined for the first time in 2021. The World Wine Awards judging panel is a highly diverse and expert group, with a total of 248 judges from 35 countries, including 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine.
In addition to her work at the Chiltern Firehouse and her role at the World Wine Awards, Bessi is also pursuing the WSET Diploma and aims to become a WSET Educator in the future. For those interested in following Bessi's journey, her Instagram account provides an insight into her world of wine.
The 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) judges, including Beatrice Bessi, taste wines blind, ensuring impartiality in their evaluations. However, the specific names of other individual judges besides Bessi are not publicly disclosed in the sources found.
The DWWA judging panel is a testament to the global recognition of Bessi's skills and expertise in the world of wine. As she continues to excel in her roles at the Chiltern Firehouse and the World Wine Awards, Bessi is undoubtedly setting a high standard for the next generation of sommeliers.
Bessi's extensive career in the hospitality sector encompasses several fields, extending to business opportunities such as careers in finance and education-and-self-development. The knowledge she gained from her studies for the Court of Master Sommelier qualification could be applicable to various sectors, including food-and-drink industries and lifestyle pursuits. Her ongoing pursuit of the WSET Diploma and aim to become a WSET Educator also underscore her dedication to education.