I never received anything but stiff (and entirely useless) official statements from a designated press relations representative. I’ve personally made several attempts in recent years to interview members of the board (a few of whom I knew personally) about the 2018 cheating scandal and its subsequent ramifications and investigations. To my knowledge, this traditionally close-ranked organization has never held an open forum of any kind, let alone one in which its board made themselves available to answer questions from anyone other than those who wear the pin signifying their membership in its most elite circles. With more than 600 RSVPs, this session could not have been a more important or visible indication of change within the ranks of an organization whose legitimacy and future still hang precariously in the balance.Īs a measure of changing times, we might begin with the simple fact of this session’s existence.
Earlier today, I sat in on the first of several “listening sessions” conducted by the board to discuss the way forward following the allegations of sexual misconduct and assault brought to light in a harrowing series of New York Times articles at the end of October 2019.Ĭonducted by board Chairwoman Emily Wines, fellow board members Mia Van De Water and Kathryn Morgan, accompanied by fellow Master Sommeliers Madeline Triffon and Melissa Monosoff, this session was intended to “amplify female voices” within the Master Sommelier community with a goal of helping the CMS “grow into a safer and more inclusive organization.”
It has been six weeks since the installation of a newly-elected board of directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas.