2024 Champion, Master Sommelier Mark Guillaudeu, will represent USA at Sonoma 2025 competition and in global championship in 2026 Fourth Annual benefit at Hermann Farm on November 2 to launch national campaign
HERMANN, Mo., Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Best USA Sommelier Association (BUSA) is launching a national fundraising drive to support the US team in regional competition for Best Sommelier of the Americas this February 2025 in Sonoma, followed by the global competition for Best Sommelier in the World to be held in Lisbon in 2026. US Champion Mark Guillaudeu, Master Sommelier, was the top finisher in the National Competition this summer and has earned the distinction of competing in both events as the leading American qualifier.
The U.S. arm of the International Association of Sommeliers (ASI), BUSA is an equal opportunity and not-for-profit organization dedicated to the education, training and advancement of professional sommeliers. Close to 100 sommeliers competed in the 2024 competition, requiring rigorous achievement in blind tastings of wine and spirits from around the world; a theory exam of regions, wine grapes, spirits, cocktails and beer; and a high-paced service exam in a non-native language. Guillaudeu achieved the highest service marks as a French language competitor.
Fourth Annual Benefit and Fundraising Launch at Hermann Farm (November 2)
To support training, transportation and hosting of the first Best Sommelier of the Americas Competition held in the U.S., the BUSA Education Foundation is looking to raise $150,000 by January 2025. Scheduled for February 17 to 21 in Sonoma, the Americas competition will include contestants from 14 countries in the Western Hemisphere; this is the first time it has been held in the U.S.
To donate directly to the BUSA Fundraising effort, please visit https://gofund.me/2e2a7021 for more information. Select sponsorships of the 2025 Best Sommelier of the Americas Competition are also available.
Fundraising efforts will launch with the fourth annual BUSA benefit at The Stone Barn at Hermann Farm on November 2 (5:00 – 9:00 PM). Tickets are available for an unforgettable evening of signature cocktails, exclusive wines, paired with carefully curated appetizers and multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Bernie Lee of legendary St. Louis restaurant Akar. Wines curated by Doug Frost MS, MW as well as private cellar selections from Michael and JiaMin Dierberg, the owners of Hermann Farm, will be available for auction to benefit BUSA. Hermann has established itself as one of the most important 19th-century American wine regions and secured its place in wine history through the pioneering work of agriculturalist George Husmann in both Missouri and Napa, California. Go to https://e.givesmart.com/events/F0M/ for ticketing options. For media queries, please contact Helen Gregory, [email protected].
About BUSA
The Best USA Sommelier Association (BUSA) exists to support and promote the role of the sommelier in the United States. It conducts and maintains the competition to choose the best sommelier in the USA. In 2023, BUSA was granted full status as a member nation of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI). The BUSA Benefit is sponsored by the Dierberg Educational Foundation as part of its mission to preserve and protect the history of Hermann, Missouri, and advance food and farming in the Midwest. Please contact Doug Frost, MS, MW, and BUSA President for more information about the organization and sponsorship opportunities.
Media Contact
Annie Gellott, Gregory + Viine, 1 9134866739, [email protected]
SOURCE BUSA
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