Small Town Somm: A Wine and Hospitality Podcast

Jules Garton is one of Toronto's best bright lights for sommelier veterans who are still engaged in the process. In this interview, we discuss studies, the COVID Toronto landscape, what it means to a drastically changing major city, Toronto's new sommelier roles, ghost kitchens and the future of a multi-tasking sommelier, and sabring Champers. Editor Note: Toronto in many ways is my parallel universe hometown. I've spent maybe 5 months of my life in Toronto, and I love it dearly. I am blessed and lucky to call Jules a friend and I thank ALL of the GTA somm crew for being who they are. This was a super fun interview.

Molly Brooks is an Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently a sales rep for Epic Wines & Spirits. Epic sells up and down the west coast, but Molly is based in San Diego, a city she's called home for most of her life. Her analysis of studying wine, job transitions, the heart and soul of why wine lovers do what they do (and tangentially how it's not always bound to the wine industry) ...this podcast is a great confluence of all those things.

Jeremy Hart is a Houston-area industry veteran. In this episode, we talk about career shifts, entrepreneurship, company culture, keeping a sense of humor, and....James Suckling’s alter ego? Check out some of what Jeremy is up to at inknowology.com/

Chris Giles is an aspiring sommelier in Denton, Texas, and through the time I've known him, I've considered his current path important and fascinating. For every aspiring sommelier, I strongly suggest you listen to this. This is a deep dive into true feelings, expectations, goals, concerns, judgments of the industry. It is my hope that the industry vets listen as well. This is the mind of those going through it just like the vets did 10-20 years ago. This is a solid examination of strength and confidence that we all go through. Chris is a great interview and a solid guy.

From Downriver to River North, Kat Hawkins has made it a hell of a career and she's got a half-century left in her in the wine game if she so chooses. Friend and colleague, and sometimes tasting and study partner, Kat made the move a bit ago from Detroit to Chicago, to take the Beverage Director position of Shaw's Crab House, a real gem of a restaurant under the Lettuce Entertain You umbrella of locations. We discuss the move, the gig, Chicago and Detroit, the anxiety of new surroundings and challenges, toxic behavior of wine professionals regarding sexual harrassment and other bad behaviours, and how to forge your path with dignity.

Alisha Blackwell-Calvert is a Certified Sommelier based out of St. Louis, Missouri. She was one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. We talk restaurants, COVID insanity, guest relations, hospitality, studying, Black Lives Matter, general inclusion in the wine industry.

Gerry Baker is a Sales Consultant with AHD Vintners in Metro Detroit. He's an Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. He shares his rise through retail and restaurants, his aspirations for his career, how to identify stress and needs for work/life balance. An insightful conversation for any aspiring sommeliers or wine professionals.

Mick Descamps is Wine Director at Red Wagon, in Metro Detroit. His reputation and work ethic is well-known in the industry, nationwide. He's an Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and shares with us elements of his past, what drives him, where he seems the industry (and sommeliers) fitting in. And the value of his work.

Justin speaks with certified sommelier Bobbie Burgess of Starkville, Mississippi on growing up in the south, mentoring and learning as a somm in the Starkville and Mississippi dining scene, and continuing her aspirations of both studying wine and being involved the progress of an inclusive wine culture.