WSPC in collaboration with the
Gérard Basset Foundation
The protagonists of this educational scheme — which includes training in Wine, Spirits, & Sake — are young people aged 18 to 32, who are seeking an opportunity for professional training and advancement within the fields of Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Tourism.
Τhis educational scheme — with tuition fees exceeding €1.100 per participant — is fully funded by the Gérard Basset Foundation, aiming at the multi-level educational and professional empowerment to young people who usually do not have the necessary financial resources to support their training. This training lasts approximately 30 hours, including both teaching and examinations.
WSPC, through this initiative, aims to provide education and skills development to 19 – 20 young people in 2026 and a similar number in 2027.
The educational program includes the following modules:
OR
The knowledge and certifications gained through this comprehensive educational program give young people the opportunity to seek and secure employment, as well as the possibility to pursue a new professional path and career in Greece or abroad.
Successful completion of the program ensures that each participant obtains three Certifications with International Recognition and Prestige.
- All young people aged 18 to 32 with good knowledge of the English language are eligible to participate.
- Participants should know that photographs, videos, and/or personal statements, as well as live interviews will be requested by WSPC and the Gérard Basset Foundation.
- To secure a place, a deposit of €100 Euros is required from each participant, an amount that is refunded upon completion of the last exam.
- In case of absence from classes, participation is cancelled and the deposit is withheld.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of age
(copy of ID Card or Passport) - Certificate of Registration in the DYPA Digital Unemployment Registry
(official unemployment certificate in PDF format)
Note: A simple unemployment card or screenshot will not be accepted. Only the official pdf “Certificate of Registration in the DYPA Digital Unemployment Registry” is accepted.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM
About Gérard Basset Foundation
The Gérard Basset Foundation, based in Great Britain, was created in memory of Gérard Basset (1957-2019) from France, ОBE MW MS MBA OIV MSc – the greatest figure in the history of Sommellerie. He is considered the best Sommelier in the world and the only person to hold the titles of Master of Wine as well as of Master Sommelier, Bordeaux KEDGE Wine MBA and OIV MSc.
The foundation was founded by his wife Nina Basset and his son Romané Basset, in honor of the merit and the great legacy he left behind Gérard BassetWith a vision that stems from the very personality of Gérard Basset – known worldwide not only for his professionalism – but also for his generosity, humility and kindness, the foundation funds education, learning and career opportunities for young wine, alcoholic beverages, and hospitality professionals. Emphasis is placed on global diversity, equity, and inclusion of educated and skilled professionals in the wine, spirits, tourism, and hospitality industries.
Gérard Basset
March 7, 1957 – January 16, 2019
Gérard Basset was without doubt one of the greatest wine professionals of his generation worldwide. He held the titles of MW (Master of Wine), MS (Master Sommelier), OBE, MBA, ASI World Champion, and OIV MSc. He was the first and only person to achieve the extraordinarily demanding combination of the Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, Bordeaux KEDGE Wine MBA, and the OIV MSc qualifications—an accomplishment unlikely to be repeated for many years to come.
The pinnacle of his career came in April 2010, when he won the ASI World’s Best Sommelier competition in Santiago, Chile, solidifying his remarkable dominance in the industry. This was further acknowledged when he was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for his services to hospitality, and again in March 2013, when he joined the wine world’s elite as Decanter’s “Man of the Year.” More recently, he was named a Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit by the French Minister of Agriculture.
Alongside these achievements, Gérard also built a growing business empire that many could only dream of. He was a founding partner of the hugely successful Hotel du Vin group, which expanded to six hotels before being sold to Malmaison for £66 million. During the ten years at the helm, Gérard mentored and trained a new generation of sommeliers who sought his expertise and guidance as they launched their own careers. Many went on to win industry awards, and even more founded successful ventures of their own, drawing on their experience at Hotel du Vin and, in particular, under Gérard’s mentorship.