Liverpool is welcoming three Master Sommeliers who are part of a unique evening taking place at The Art School on Thursday 27th January.
Ronan Sayburn, Dimitri Mesnard and Nigel Wilkinson are from a very select group whose numbers remain extremely limited; indeed, more people have been into Earth’s orbit than there are Master Sommeliers and since 1969, when the first award was given, only around 250 currently work with the world’s finest restaurants, kitchens and events.
Having these three luminaries together for one evening in Liverpool is in itself a rarity in the culinary world. There is no higher accolade for those who have studied and practised for years to reach the ultimate professional credential. Ronan, Dimitri and Nigel are bringing their expertise and knowledge to The Art School as part of a 6-course tasting evening with wines paired to a special menu curated by Paul Askew.
Paul is The Art School’s Chef Patron and is celebrating his 40th anniversary in gastronomy. He explains: “Without wine and beverages food is always incomplete. They go hand in hand at The Art School but also the world over, too. There’s an art to pairing wines to food. We offer wine flights with our taster menus and for this incredibly special occasion we will be in the company of three truly remarkable people who have spent most of their lives dedicated to wines, spirits and beverages. There is no higher standard than being a Master Sommelier and the sheer wealth of experience they bring, from years of study and exams to frequenting the world’s best vineyards and 3-star Michelin restaurants – they can literally identify a grape, its region and year by taste alone whilst blindfolded. I cannot wait to be in the kitchen with the team for this and to see where they take us.”
Ronan Sayburn (MS) is a previous winner of the UK Sommelier of the Year competition and twice a representative for the UK in the European Sommelier Competition. Ronan has formally worked for the Gordon Ramsay Group as Executive Head Sommelier for 8 years, mainly in the 3 Michelin star Royal Hospital Road plus created the wine lists and trained wine service teams for Claridge’s, the Connaught, the Savoy, Boxwood Café, Maze and several overseas operations including Dubai, Tokyo and New York.
Dimitri Mesnard (MS) is the International Brand Ambassador for Jackson Family Wines, which he joined in 2008. He achieved his MS qualification in 2003 and has been chairman of the European Court of Master Sommeliers since 2009. He is keen to share his knowledge, often helping friends and colleagues advance in the world of sommeliers.Nigel Wilkinson (MS) passed the WSET Diploma in 1996, became a Master Sommelier in 2005 and now teaches and examines for both the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the Court of Master Sommeliers. Before entering the wine trade, he was named ‘UK Young Wine Server of the Year’ and was also twice runner-up in the ‘UK Sommelier of the Year Competition’
Master Sommelier’s Dinner – The Art School Restaurant
