Lumen Summer 2016 - Flipbook - Page 33
story by Genevieve Sanchez
Alumni on the move
The beverage boss
M
aster of Gastronomy graduate
Michael Meagher knows more
about wine than most people
in the world. He’s one of only 232
people to have achieved the title
of Master Sommelier since the Court of
the Master Sommeliers was established
in 1977 to promote excellence in hotel
and restaurant beverage services.
To earn the coveted title, Michael
passed a gruelling diploma exam
after nine years of preparation. The
final invitation-only exam sees many
candidates fail, sometimes several
times over. Michael attempted the exam
six times before achieving success.
He says it is an honour to be included
among such an elite group of wine experts.
“Having met and worked with a
large number of masters in the US
during my studies, I stand in awe of
their accomplishments and talents and
wonder how it is that I could possibly
be mentioned in the same sentence.”
Michael studied sociology as an
undergraduate at Harvard University
but soon realised his interests lay with
the culinary arts. He went on to work as
a chef and gained qualifications from
the Culinary Institute of America and the
University of Adelaide’s Le Cordon Bleu
Masters of Gastronomy program.
He says that Adelaide’s vibrant culture
of food and wine was the perfect place
for him to further his skills.
“Putting all three of my degrees
together, with the gastronomy program
as the capstone, really sharpened my
intuition and insight into culture, societal
influence and market trends, while
making me keenly aware of the true
universal nature that is the celebration
of good food and good wine.”
As Chairman Emeritus of the Boston
Sommelier Society, Michael now
mentors others who are working
towards the Master Sommelier title.
He is also the regional sales manager
for Jackson Family Wines where he
educates sales representatives in
Boston, New York and Washington DC.
“I know that every bottle of wine I
sell has the potential to be a part of
someone’s celebration and through
my education and experience, I hope
I can help other people become better
ambassadors of great wineries, great
vineyards, great winemakers, which in
turn will foster better consumers and
wine culture,” he says.
“Wine is the ultimate social beverage
and I’m just happy to be working
towards bringing more people together
over a glass or two!”
Find out more about food studies at the University of Adelaide:
www.arts.adelaide.edu.au/history/food-values/
More alumni achievements
Dr Helen Caldicott (MBBS 1962) has been recognised
for her dedication to promoting peace and freedom with
an Inaugural Australian Peacewomen award in Canberra.
Professor Mike McLaughlin (PhD Ag Sc 1988) has been
elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Fleur Tuthill (M Clin Nursing 2013) has won the Graduate
Nurse of the Year award at Coffs Harbour Hospital. Fleur was
a part of the first cohort to graduate from the masters program.
What’s new with you?
If you have recently celebrated a promotion or
career achievement, a change of job or won a major
prize, we want to hear about it! Share your good
news with your fellow alumni by emailing us. Please
include your name, degree and graduation year.
Send it to alumni@adelaide.edu.au
or call +61 8 8313 5800
View more alumni achievements at
www.adelaide.edu.au/alumni/about/on-the-move
Associate Professor Hubertus Jersmann (PhD 2001)
has been awarded the 50th Anniversary Medal of the
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand.
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 31
