Sommelier training – Dialogue seminars and repertory grid method in combination as a pedagogical tool

This study aim to investigate whether practical analogical training in Dialogue seminars, involving reflection, verbalization and the exploration of concepts, could be used as an educational complement to analytical training. The result, when evaluating Dialogue seminar (DS) with the repertory grid method (RGM), was an increased consistency in the assessments of wine within a group of sommeliers. The content analysis also showed an increased use of familiar concepts and multi-sensational attributes after analogical training. It is therefore concluded that analogical training with DS, followed by analytical evaluation with RGM, can be successfully combined when training sommeliers.Practical applicationsThis empirical framework introduces a new pedagogical tool when training restaurant personnel. Using contextual reflective tasting exercises in groups stimulates the awareness of personal references that can be helpful in developing a vocabulary of common definitions for sensory attributes. In addition to being a pedagogical tool, these exercises offer a counterpart to the well-established consensus technique when training sensory panels or performing sensory profile evaluation. It is, therefore, also concluded that this methodological approach can be used to better evaluate and communicate complex sensory experiences within a tasting group.
Source: International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science - Category: Food Science Source Type: research