Basset becomes president of sommelier competition

Gerard Basset MW has been appointed president of the Champagne Jacquart Rising Stars Trophy 2009. Basset, who owns Hotel TerraVina and was the founder of Hotel du Vin, will head up the judging of the exciting sommelier competition during its Grand Final in April.

Champagne Jacquart is “delighted” with Basset’s participation in this year’s event. Managing director of the Champagne house Jean-Marc Pottiez said: “It is a great honour for us to have such a recognised and respected sommelier and restaurateur as president.
 
“Gerard Basset has an encyclopaedic knowledge of wine, marvellous tasting skills but importantly, as a restaurateur he understands the fundamental need for kitchen and front of house to work together." Basset is also president of the UK Guild of Wine Service for the Academy of Food & Wine.
 
The award, the only chef and sommelier competition in the UK, will be judged in four UK Regional Finals before the Grand Final in London in April. As well as confirming the competition’s president, the Champagne house has also confirmed the full judging programme, details of which can be found below.
 
Regional Finals
16 Feb: Trafford College, Manchester
2 March: Thomas Danby College, Leeds
10 March: City of Bath College, Bath
16 March: Thames Valley University, London
 
Grand Final
15 April: Westminster Kingsway College, London
 
Click here for further details

Jane Parkinson 17/12/08