SakeMico

The Team

Izumi Tezuka, co-founder of SakeMico is half Japanese, half American, born in Sintra Portugal. She is a Certified Sake Sommelier with 15+ years experience working in Japanese Izakaya style restaurants. She has had the priviledge of working alongside some of the most reknown figures in the industry through the sake boom in NYC. She relocated to Portugal in 2014 where she started a sake import and distribution business with her husband Francis Portillo.

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Francis Portillo is from El Salvador and has  spent over 10 years working in Japanese Kitchens of NYC. He  also specializes in Izakaya style plates as well as Yakiniku,( Japanese style BBQ.)  He and Izumi met in NYC and now as business partners, create delicious pairings for premium Japanese Sake for a variety of events as well as at SakeMico Tasting Room.

Andrea Smith is educated at The Culinary Institute of America with a Bachelor's in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, Andrea has also currently earned a WSET Level 2 Wines & Spirits Award and WSET Level 1 Sake, as well gaining a Court of Master Sommeliers US Level 1 Certificate before moving to Portugal.  Andrea spent 2 years as the Sommelier and part of the opening team for Midori in Penha Longa, the first Japanese restaurant to hold a Michelin star in Portugal.  
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António Tiago Rocha Pereira is our Accounts Manager and  an SSI certified International Kikisake-shi as well as a certified WSET Sommelier. His passion and knowledge for the technical and artisinal aspect of sake making is extensive. António has been very involved in expanding SakeMico's reach.

Joel Marques  is an advanced level Sake Sommelier with a long background in hospitality.   From the inception of SakeMico, he has been a great supporter,  representative and contributing sales person. He continues to be a key player in SakeMico's growth.

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