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February 29 through March 02, 2008, our neighbor Bailliage to the east, Les Lacs et des Bois, the Woodlands (Houston), hosted the second level of competition between our Young Sommeliers from the Southwest and Midwest bailliages and our Young Chefs from the Southwest bailliages. These two regions consist of 18 states. These states are as follows:

(Midwest) Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota,

Our Young Sommeliers and Young Chefs that competed in this second level of competition qualified for this event by placing at the top of their local Bailliage competition earlier in the year.

The Young Sommelier Competition promotes the expertise of the young wine and spirit professional and encourages mastery of wine and spirit knowledge. Mechanics of the competition are as follows:

The competitors are judged in three categories of knowledge at each level of competition.

Theory: Written exam: Knowledge of wine, wine production, laws, viticulture & vinification, spirits, beers, ales, ciders, sherry, and cigars.

Practical Skills: Service performance exam: Decanting, Champagne Service, Glassware Choices, Blind Spirit Identification. It is a role-playing exercise requiring full restaurant service skills, composure, dress, and personal equipment.

Blind Tasting: Twenty-five minutes for double blind tasting of six wines. Scoring done on the Master Sommelier deductive tasting method. Scores are assigned for assessment by sight, nose, and palate, and by initial and final conclusions of each wine.

The Young Chefs competition is to encourage and promote the culinary expertise of young Commis des Rôtisseurs (Chefs of the Grill) by exposing them to a competitive environment with their peers. This competition will offer these individuals an opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity in a fair, unbiased, and professional forum.

Each competitor receives an identical mystery basket, permitting them to compose a three-course menu of their choice, prepared for four (4) people and consisting of individual plates for

Upon receiving the mystery basket, the competitors need to follow a designated timing schedule:

Bailli Cheryl Kenny, Les Lacs et des Bois Bailliage from the Woodlands (30 miles north of Houston) hosted this event. A very cool and relaxed young lady even with the pressure of being responsible for the coordination of these three days of activities.

While the competition was being conducted, Chaine members in attendance had several options available to them in the downtown area. This event was meant to a relaxing weekend get-away and there were no formal sign-ups for these events. Most individuals from out-of-town stayed in the Alden Hotel, downtown.

The first evening: Wine pairing and dinner at the Reef Restaurant, jacket, no tie, and decorations. Let's take a look and see what was going on that evening:

The following photos were taken during the reception to the dinner

The two new faces here belong to Ray and Beverly Mentzer who both work for Exxon Mobil. Between them they have 50 years of employment with Exxon. Both were asked to volunteer their time to help with the Exxon Valdez clean up. They were in San Antonio for our National Board Meeting.	Bailli Chris Dempster of the Bailliage L´Étoile Solitaire, Houston. Chris also visited us during the National Board Meeting.	Here's a group of happy faces waiting on Dinner call. The fourth person down on the right is Cheryl's Kenny's husband, Chevalier Steve Kenny.	Whoops, look out, here is San Antonio right in the middle of every thing. That's Bailli Provincial Mark Bermann on the left giving everyone the finger. The lady next to Vivian is the wife of Bailli Michael Leiser of Houston, Dame Alexis Leiser.	Here's a group of interesting folks: See if you can pick out Michael Parmet, Roger Tracy, Drew Hendricks, Jane Tracy, Cheryl Kenny, and Steve Kenny
The following Photos were taken during the tasting and the dinner

Ok, guys and gals, if you have found your seats, we will all sit down. Bailli Michael Leiser and Alexis from the Houston Bailliage are sitting at the far end of the table. Houston has one of the largest Bailliages in the U.S. with 147 members with about 1/3 of them being Professional members.		Here is our Grand Echanson des Etats-Unis Dan Gulbronsen (one of the honored guest that evening) sitting at the head of the table. We'll be seeing him again at Las Vegas in May	This lady is Randa Warren, one of the 16 women in the U.S. who has eaned the title of *Master Sommelier. She was the most recent U.S. woman to receive this title. Randa spoke about the Kistler Dutton Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay 2002 and the La Poussie Sancerre 2004,* which were the wines served with the first dinner course.

This is Barbara Werley. She has the distinction of being the fourth woman in the U.S. to earn the title of *Master Sommelier.* She was also the first woman to hold the title of Wine Director in Las Vegas (Caesars Palace). She spoke about the *Martinelli Seven Mules Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004* (which she loved) and the *Verduno Barbaresco 2001* (which she did not care for).		Drew Hendricks - Of the 96 men in the U.S. that are Master Sommeliers he is #96. Drew talked about the Girard Old Vine Zinfandel Napa 2003 and the De Bortoli Petite Syrah Vat 1 200**4	This is Guy Stout, another Master Sommelier and as of last year the only *Master Sommelier* in Texas (he may still be, but my research is based on a 2007 article). Guy owns a three-acre Syrah grape vineyard in Blanco County. He spoke about the wines in the third course: *William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon* *Reserve Napa 2002, and the Laborde Haut Medoc 2003*


** Latest update on Master Sommeliers: In February 2008 this exam was given to a total of 55 candidates, from America, Canada, and Norway. Only 9 of those individuals passed and were awarded the title of Master Sommelier. One of these distinguished performers, also received the Remi Krug Cup, an award that recognizes a candidate who passes all three portions of the exam on the first attempt. At present, the title of Master Sommelier is held by 167 individuals worldwide. There are 96 professionals who hold this title in North America. Of these 96, nine were awarded the title in February 2008. Of the North American Master Sommeliers, 80 are men and 16 are women.

This was a very successful dinner and a special thank you goes out to the following individuals for helping make it so successful . . . Grand Echanson des Etats-Unis Dan Gulbronsen; Bailli Houston Michael Leiser; Chevalier Norman Lowenstern; and Bruce Weiner for donating wines and Argentier Etats Unis Michael Parmet for cash donation towards the purchase of wines


Here's two of the top competitors of the sommeliers competition. The one on the right is Scott Cameron who was in last year's competition in Monterey Calif.	This fellow kept us entertained all evening with nice dinner music.	Bailli Provincial Mark Bermann as he prepares the podium for the ceremonies (Mondial Inductions)	Ok, guys, do we have all the names? Let's get them all lined up and do our thing.	Six fellows and four ladies. This will be a nice Mondial Induction.

Will the candidates join us in a royal toast? Vive la Chaine; Vive la Societe	Nothing is more worthy to bear witness to this engagement than this venerable stock..	For decades it has swayed in the wind, braved storms, groaned under the rough ice of winter. It has won out over all adversity, welcoming each spring the sunshine of a new vintage.	It has resolutely pushed roots into soil, breaking through rocks, seeking out the rare substances that give flavor to its fruit. Autumn arrives; it has offered the world the gift of endeavor.	Other vines have now taken its place, assured by your oath of finding devoted souls that will appreciate and understand the great effort of the vine."

Ok, guys another job well done. Let's call up the sommeliers and tell them what's going on.	Winner: front middle Dustin Wilson, Southwest and Arthur Black, far left, Midwest. Arthur was also in last year's competition in Monterey California (Placed 3rd)	Winners: Dustin Wilson, Arthur Black, and three of the four Master Sommeliers that were on hand for the event. Drew Hendricks is missing in action here.	Going around the room and looking at some of the attendees . . . Humm, I think I need to get me a purple tie to go along with the rest of my outfit.	We found Joel off doing his own thing. Look at that smile on his face. The rest of the photos have no caption. Have fun.





On Sunday morning Vivian and I had to return to San Antonio, and we did not have the opportunity to participate in the evening ceremonies. The evening ceremonies consisted of another fabulous dinner and the announcement of the winner of the Young Chefs Competition. San Antonio had two entries in this competition. Robbie Nolan from "The Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills," and Wessel Crockett from "Biga on the Banks." Neither competitor was able to place in the top position. That honor went to a fellow by the name of Lance Warren from Houston.


Ok, the party is over. It's time for the congrats and then to go to the bar.	Oh, Oh, wouldn't you know who would be the first in the bar!!	Don and Betty Winslow. The Denver Bailliage is present and accounted for.	Oh, oh, things are starting to get serious as the hour passes.

The first day is now history. Everyone has a good night's sleep and awakes to see the sights of downtown Houston. It's Saturday and the weather is mild and sunny. This part of town is some of the oldest in Houston and as a result many of the buildings have recently been replaced with modern architectural structures, and again many have not been replaced and have been abandoned awaiting for new ownership to come in, tear down, and to replace with new. Yes, Downtown Houston is very interesting to tour. While all of us were touring and walking the city streets and doing our own thing, the Young Sommeliers were having their competition. Let's now move to Saturday evening and find out the results of the competition.

Saturday evening and it's time for dining and ceremonies.