Season 3, Episode 5 · Monday, 12 October 2026
Leah Kirkland of the Emett Group: so much more than a sommelier
with Leah Kirkland
On this episode of Kitchen Day, I’m sitting down with Leah Kirkland from the Emett Group, and what a career she’s had. From fifteen years working…
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About Leah Kirkland
Leah Kirkland is Group Beverage Director at the Emett Group, overseeing wine and beverage across Onslow, Gilt Brasserie, The Oyster Inn and Lottie’s. After fifteen years working in London alongside chef Adam Byatt, Leah returned to New Zealand and went on to work with Michael Meredith at Mr Morris, complete a Burgundy harvest and spend a season at Rippon in Wānaka. Leah was named New Zealand’s number one sommelier in the 2025 Champagne Louis Roederer Top 100 Sommeliers New Zealand.