Wine+Dessert

MENIU

Chairman of the Jury Arūnas Starkus is the most passionate wine and dessert enthusiast in the Baltics, author and initiator of this contest and co-owner of the main sponsor of the competition, Lithuanian fine wine retailer Vyno klubas, organiser of the Lithuanian wine exhibition Vyno dienos, editor-in-chief of the Lithuanian Wine Journal, and study director of the Sommelier School of Lithuania.
Arminas Darasevičius is a President of the Sommelier Association of Lithuania, a champion of many sommelier championships including several wine and dessert pairing competitions. His restaurants are among the prize winners each year, and became champions in 2024, 2021 and 2014 in Wine+Dessert Lithuania.
Aivar Hanson is an Editor of the bestselling restaurant guide, the Falstaff Guide of Northern Europe, and food journalist from Estonia.
Aigars Nords is the creator of wine and marathon running culture in Latvia, the author of the Riga Wine & Champagne Festival idea, the founder of the Bubbles Parade and the competitions Latvian Wine of the Year and Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards .
Dominika Zagrodzka is a Polish journalist and cultural anthropologist specialising in food and gastronomy. For over 10 years, she has been publishing materials on gastronomy, focusing particularly on interviews and culinary trends. A leading editor at KUKBUK.pl, where articles on cuisine and food culture are regularly published.
Janis Kalkis ir a President of Latvian Sommelier Association. One of Latvia’s leading wine experts, a certified Category A sommelier with a diploma from the European Wine Academy. Known as a wine educator and restaurant manager, with extensive knowledge shared with professionals and enthusiasts. His expertise in wine culture and dedication to the craft make this jury member a respected voice in the industry.
Erika Smelkova - an experienced Latvian journalist and Creative Editor at L’Officiel Baltic.
Egita Seglina - Editor-in-Chief of “Delfi Lifestyle”.
Guzal Saidmuradova - co-founder of the “Registan” café-bakery in Riga, as well as the creative lead and visionary behind “ButterDinnerClub”.