Celebrating Excellence: Matthieu Longuere Wins the UKSA/Gerard Basset Award
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the winner of this year’s prestigious UKSA/Gerard Basset Award is none other than Matthieu Longuere!
This award celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of the legendary Gerard Basset—those who demonstrate unwavering dedication, mentorship, and an enduring passion for the world of hospitality and sommellerie. Matthieu represents all of this and more.
From Protégé to Mentor
Matthieu’s journey in the wine world is deeply intertwined with Gerard’s legacy. As a past protégé of Gerard Basset, Matthieu belongs to that remarkably successful cohort who grew from their foundational days at Hotel du Vin to achieve incredible heights in the industry. Throughout his impressive career, Matthieu has remained a fierce champion of sommellerie, consistently supporting both the UKSA and its predecessor, the Academy of Food and Wine Service, with boundless enthusiasm.
Shaping the Next Generation
After starting his career as an elite sommelier in several prestigious establishments, Matthieu transitioned his expertise toward his true calling: education. For many years, he has dedicated himself to shaping courses to meet his students' needs—encouraging, guiding, and nurturing the next generation of hospitality talent. These are attributes he learned firsthand from Gerard.
How profound is his impact? Just last week, during the judging interviews for a potential scholar award, a candidate spoke with immense warmth and gratitude about how instrumental Matthieu had been in their career. It is exactly this ability to inspire that secured his success for this award.
A Quiet Champion of Hospitality
Described by colleagues as deeply generous with his time, knowledge, and expertise, Matthieu is a beloved and respected figure among industry peers, fellow Basset protégés, and hundreds of former students. Yet, despite his brilliant ambassadorship for hospitality, he remains quiet, unassuming, and never one to "blow his own trumpet".
Congratulations, Matthieu!