45 Years of WSET

This week sees the 45th birthday and anniversary of the Wines & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). For the last 45 years, WSET has been providing world class quality training and education in all aspects of wines and spirits, and has become very well respected in the industry. Top industry professionals either have, or employ those who do have, qualifications from WSET, or training with them.

The view at the formal end of restaurant service

Giles (not his real name, but he prefers Giles to revealing who he really is) has spent the last five or more years working in upmarket, upscale hospitality. His journey has taken him to both hotels and restaurants, via bar, cafes and the like. He is no stranger to the strange world of luxury hospitality, even stranger guest requests, and the long hours and hard work that goes into formal dining or a great hotel stay.

It is that point of fine dining that has him annoyed as we meet. He (and a great many others in the industry) are formally and classically trained. Experience and in some cases education and training has focused on very traditional, upmarket guest service, and old fashioned restaurant skills. Crumbing down a table, or offering several different types of bread, sliver service come naturally to Giles and others- and indeed they are comfortable with it, and understand it.