Let Josep Roca Fontané of Can Roca Tell You!
a chat with one of the world's most respected sommeliers (and humans)
(this is the follow up to the previous post. If you’d like to read the introduction to this interview and its context, please so and visit, “What Good is a Sommelier Anyway?”)
Name: Josep Roca Fontané
Position: Sommelier and owner Restaurant El Celler de Can Roca
How many years in the industry: I started my own business in 1986, 37 years ago.
+ Do you identify as a sommelier, if not, what else?
I like “Cambrer de vins”, (wine waiter).
I like thinking that I can help many of my colleagues who works in a restaurant, and not only sommeliers. The waiter profession needs visibility, recognition, gratitude, care, respect. If somehow we can help promote, disclose and accept our profession as an attractive one, maybe more people dedicated to this noble and fantastic job will be interested in improving their skills and, why not, devote themselves to the wonderful world of wine. That´s why I like to call myself waiter because I believe a waiter is someone that can have the attitude of taking care and the ability to dominate the emotional scene, the know-how and the listening aptitude.