Monica is the President of Kome Collective, a leading US importer of Japanese sake and spirits. Monica spent many of her formative years in Tokyo with her grandfather, formerly a sake brewer, and was inspired to carry on his legacy through her career in restaurants, distribution, and importation. In 2017 she received the prestigious honor of “Sake Samurai,” awarded by the Japan Sake Brewers Association. Some of her other personal accolades include IWSC “Future 50” 2018, Wine Enthusiast’s “40 under 40” 2014, and judging several of the top sake competitions around the world, from the International Wine Challenge to the US National Sake Appraisal.

When Monica isn’t sharing her knowledge through passion, discovery, and funny travel stories, she can be found running, coming up with creative recipes for even the pickiest of eaters, and watching very niche Japanese television with her husband David.