Lise Donier-Meroz, sommelier at England’s two-star L’Enclume restaurant, has been announced as winner of the inaugural Gérard Basset Travel Bursary. The award was established in honor of the legendary French/British sommelier, with guests at the Feb. 1 award ceremony at 67 Pall Mall invited to stand up and share their memories of Gérard.
Judges Nina and Romané Basset, Ronan Sayburn MS, Tim Atkin MW and Laura Rhys MS said the standard of entries was extremely high. Lise Donier-Meroz was selected as the winner, Nina Basset explained, as all judges felt she best encapsulated the spirit of the award: “Lise’s application was well-written, and we liked that she will use the funds to explore the whole South American continent, using eco forms of travel once she gets there. She’s an exciting new talent, and we feel she will be a shining ambassador for Sommellerie. Gérard would definitely have approved!”
Alongside the £5,000 Bursary, Lise will receive help from the judges in planning and tailoring her trip to South America, to make it as educational and interesting an experience as possible. Lise comments: “I cannot wait for my South American adventure! I am astonished and incredibly honoured by the opportunity, that couldn’t have happened without Gerard’s legacy.”