Franky Baert

A former teacher at the Institut de l'Alimentation (IVV) in Bruges, Franky specialized in wine and gastronomy. For 15 years, he taught as part of the training program for French master sommeliers in Flanders. He also taught for the wine merchant diploma.

Co-founder and Master of Wines of the Commanderie de la Vlaamse Wijngilde 't Brugse Vrye, Franky has run numerous wine tasting and knowledge courses. He was also director of DIVO Belgique, Défense et Illustration des Vins d'Origine, founded in 1936 by Constant Bourquin.

His first introductions to wine knowledge and tasting were with Max Léglise in Beaune and Jean-Noël Boidron in Bordeaux. He also has fond memories of the tastings organized by Steven Spurrier at the Académie du Vin in Paris. Sessions at Alain Senderens' Atelier des Arts et Plaisirs de la Table gave him a deeper understanding of the fascinating role of wine in gastronomy.

His great mentor in his approach to authentic fine wines was André Parcé, with whom he shared many tastings.