FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Robinson
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
512-327-7555 (office) or 512-350-4621 (cell)
robinson@winefoodfoundation.org

Devon Broglie Announced as 2006 Texas Best Sommelier

Irving, Texas (August 30, 2006) –The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas along with The Texas Sommelier Association are pleased to announce Devon Broglie, an Associate Team Leader in the wine department at Whole Foods Market as Texas’ Best Sommelier for 2006.  The announcement was made at the second annual Texas Sommelier Conference held this past Sunday and Monday, August 27th and 28th, presented by The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and the Texas Sommelier Association. The conference hosted by the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas.

The Texas’ Best Sommelier award was presented at the Grand Tasting on Monday evening which concluded the two-day event. The statewide competition was determined through a rigorous three-part examination (tasting, service and theory) and was limited to 25 Texas candidates. Finalists were evaluated by a panel of nationally recognized Master Sommeliers.

As winner, Devon received the title of ‘Texas’ Best Sommelier’ and $2,000 from The Guild of Sommelier Education Foundation to be used for any Court of Master Sommelier Course. He also received roundtrip airfare from American Airlines to attend the course, tuition for an additional home study course for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust donated by the International Wine Center, and tuition for the Certified Specialists of Wine and the Certified Wine Educator exams from The Society of Wine Educators. He also received a keepsake book, The Global Wine Encyclopedia from the Wine Appreciation Guild.

First runner-up was fellow Austinite Craig Collins from Prestige Cellars who received $1,000 from The Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation to be used for any Court of Master Sommelier Course and the keepsake book, The Global Wine Encyclopedia from the Wine Appreciation Guild.

Making it an Austin sweep, Scott Cameron from Epicurean Wines made second runner-up receiving a $1,000 scholarship for any Court of Master Sommelier Course, sponsored by The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, Gramercy Cellars in Washington and The Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation.

Broglie, a Duke University graduate, traveled to Spain after a five-year stint in the restaurant industry, working  every aspect of the business, from busboy to management. In Spain he worked for a winery in the Priorat region during harvest and upon returning to the United States, began his career at Whole Foods Market. Broglie and Craig Collins began a study group in August of 2005 to prepare for the Advance Level Certification of the Court of Master Sommeliers, meeting every Monday for the past year.

“I’m extremely excited – the competition was an incredible experience. The highlight of the conference was being able to meet and get to know sommeliers from across Texas and to learn from the Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine.” Devon stated. “I’m grateful that the Texas Sommelier Association is able to create such an incredible conference and that The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas has given it such tremendous support.”

The conference featured some of the country’s leading wine industry figures. Speakers included the most prestigious levels of wine educators -- Master Sommeliers (MS), Masters of Wine (MW), and Certified Wine Educators (CWE). Included in the who’s who of wine professionals were Fred Dame MS, President of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation; Greg Harrington MS, who has developed wine lists for Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse; Guy Stout MS, Texas’ only Master Sommelier; Larry O’Brien MS of Station Casinos; D.C. Flynt MW, Burgundy wine importer; Robin Kelly O’Connor CWE, President of the Society of Wine Educators; Keith Goldston MS; Reggie Narito, MS; and Charles Curtis MW.

Two well-known Dallas wine industry professionals spearheaded the conference, James Tidwell, Sommelier at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas, and Drew Hendricks, Sommelier at Pappas Brothers Steakhouse. James comments, “This conference is important in creating a sense of camaraderie throughout the wine community in Texas. Wine aficionados, sommeliers, retailers, distributors, suppliers and the general public have the opportunity to come together and learn about wine from some of the industry’s leading experts, including Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine and Certified Wine Educators.  This is a unique opportunity for everyone to advance their wine knowledge through cooperation and education.”

Seminars open to the public included five in-depth educational sessions covering specific wine regions, Nebbiolo; Burgundy; Spain; South America; and Washington. A full schedule, seminar descriptions and speaker biographies may be viewed at www.texsom.com.

Platinum sponsors of the conference include the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas, The Texas Sommelier Association, The Wine & Food Foundation, One Distributing, and Glazers Distributing. Gold sponsors include the Guild of Sommeliers, Pappas Brothers Steakhouse, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau, American Airlines and Republic Beverage. Silver sponsors feature the International Wine Center, San Pelligrino, Aqua Panna, Bordeaux, J Vineyards & Winery, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Banfi Vintners.

Next year the conference will most likely be held in Austin, Texas. For updates, conference or competition information, and sponsorship opportunities visit www.texsom.com.

About the Conference Presenters:

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas - The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is a public charity dedicated to recognizing and developing creativity, professionalism and state-of-the-science research in all areas of the culinary and viticulture arts.  Created in 1997, the Foundation provides grants, scholarships and fellowships to outstanding individuals and other entities that achieve excellence in these areas www.winefoodfoundation.org.

The Texas Sommelier Association – The Texas Sommelier Association is a trade association comprised of Texas wine professionals. The Association promotes professional wine service standards, outlines paths for further wine education and certification, and raises public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. The organization sponsors the “Texas’ Best Sommelier” competition with the winner being awarded scholarships for professional certification courses. www.texsom.com

Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas – Four Seasons Resort and Club is among the leading destination resorts in the country. It is the only resort in Texas to hold the coveted Five Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association. It is located just minutes away from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on 400 acres set amidst the rolling hills of Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. www.fourseasons.com.

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