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1 2 | t h e c l e v e r r o o t IN 2015, THE GUILD OF SOMMELIERS Educa- tion Foundation (GSEF) expanded into two separate entities, and it would behoove you to know more about how they have decided to di- vide responsibility for their prestigious mission. The Guild of Sommeliers Education Founda- tion, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, was founded in 2003 by a group of Master Som- meliers and culinary business leaders to create scholarship and enrichment opportunities for studying sommeliers. The most visible face of the GSEF has been guildsomm.com, the highly successful membership and education arm of the organization, led by Fred Dame, MS, and Geoff Kruth, MS. Guildsomm.com has been so successful that the leadership elected in 2015 to establish it as an independent non-profit, leaving the GSEF free to focus on philanthropic, scholarship and enrichment travel efforts. While both organizations are non-profit, GSEF, now working under the title SommFoundation, concentrates on chari- table efforts benefiting the wine-interested public, with special emphasis on studying som- meliers and other wine professionals. SommFoundation and guildsomm.com con- tinue to work closely together. "We aspire to continue to be the strongest educational community in the world [regarding wine and beverage]," declares Jay Fletcher, MS, Executive Director of Fine Wine for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits– Colorado, Chairman Emeritus of the Court of Master Sommeliers–Americas and founding member of the Guild of Sommeliers Educa- tion Foundation. Fletcher is based in Aspen, Colorado, and passed the Master Sommelier exam in 1996. He continues as a member of the leadership of SommFoundation, serving as Cellarmaster. When asked about goals, short and long-term, Fletcher stated, "We simply want to find funding to create opportunities that enrich the people around us. We want to improve the education and professionalism of the community, and help people achieve their dreams in this field." SommFoundation, subsidized by sponsors and fundraising efforts, currently sends bud- ding wine professionals on exploratory trips to wine regions both domestic and interna- tional. It is imperative that sommeliers have the opportunity to visit vineyards and winer- ies around the world in order to give them context, and upon returning, the stories and memories gained provide a commonality to share with guests and consumers. In addition to probative trips, SommFoundation awards scholarships to alleviate the financial stress of obtaining ac- creditations and titles, providing subsidies for the Court of Master Sommeliers Introduc- tory, Certified and Advanced Courses and the Master Sommelier Exam and Diploma in addition to the Rudd Masters Roundtable, and TexSomm. The benevolent organization desires to expand further in this area, with plans to launch scholarship programs for other certification avenues soon. One of the best aspects of the wine indus- try is its mentorship and supportive nature. SommFoundation's mission is simply to aid the passionate people within this fantastic profes- sion. As SommFoundation's media partner, The Clever Root will be partnering with the organi- zation on upcoming events and other opportuni- ties. Watch these pages for the latest news and regular updates from the organization. Visit SommFoundation's website regularly to keep yourself abreast of any new scholarship or trip opportunities. See www.sommfounda- tion.com for more information. by Allyson Gorsuch EDUCATION CREATIVEYE99 VIA THINKSTOCK Do You Know SommFoundation? ■cr