Gerard Basset to represent UK in sommelier contest

This will be the sixth time Basset has taken part in the competition, and, having been placed second three times he is determined to win. He said: "I wouldn't go through the trauma of competing if I didn't want to do well. It's now all about my preparation. It's a big commitment – I will put in about 20 hours a week from now until next April – but it's a huge title to win." Basset was competing for the UK qualifying place against Matthieu Longuere, head sommelier at London's La Trompette, and Nicolas Clerc of Pont de la Tour. All three satisfied the strict entry criteria – namely that they have previously won a national competition, have worked in the UK for over three years and are able to complete the competition in a second language (Gerard has dual British and French citizenship). The qualifying competition, organised by the Academy of Food & Wine, was judged at London's Royal Garden Hotel yesterday [7 September] by Paul Breach and Nick Scade of the Academy's executive committee and Brian Julyan, chief executive of the Court of Master Sommeliers Worldwide. The three candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire, a blind tasting, match two white wines with sushi, decant and serve a bottle of red wine and clear away in just eight minutes as well as an interview. The World's best Sommelier competition attracts candidates from each of the ASI's 41 member countries. It will consist of two days of written and practical exams, including blind tastings and service role plays to test the candidates' knowledge of wine, spirits, and other beverages, cigars, and food and wine pairing, as well as their service skills to determine the top three candidates for the final competition. The three finalists will compete in a public final round and the winner announced at a gala dinner the same evening.