From political science to sommelier in 30 weeks; Buy Wine in Pampanga

Pampanga Clark Wine Shop reports news about wine: From political science to sommelier in 30 weeks

May 25, 2011

ST. HELENA — At the end of 30 weeks, students in the Accelerated Wine and Beverage Program at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, have passed two levels of sommelier testing, tasted up to 22 wines a day and are ready to be employed anywhere from fine or casual dining to work in retail, wholesale distribution, wineries, as an instructor, consultant or journalist.
The post graduate certification program began with 14 students last year from all over the country and with a wide range of experiences.
After getting a political science degree at San Jose State University, 27-year-old Scott Kohan found himself in restaurant management and decided to “follow his dream.” He explored numerous graduate programs and ended up entering the inaugural cohort at the CIA.
“It was scary,” Mr. Kohan said of his decision to spend roughly $35,000 on just 30 weeks of studies.
“This was the first time they offered the program it was a little bit of a gamble,” he said.
He looked at other programs available, but they were mainly master’s programs or programs targeting the hospitality industry and corporate hotels. He was intimidated by the lack of a track record of the program being that it was new, but coming out of it he feels ready for anything.
He appreciates having been able to learn about wine while living in the Napa Valley and how that has provided opportunities to meet masters in their field.
They have had Augustin Huneeus, Michael Weiss, Oz Clarke, and Robin Lail of Lail Vineyards come to the classroom as guest speakers.
The two instructors in the program, Robert Bath and Christie Dufault, led the students over the course of the 30 weeks.
Mr. Bath has spent more than 30 years in the wine and food industry, managing wine-oriented restaurants, working with many notable California wineries, and teaching thousands around the world about wine.
A third-generation Californian, he passed the Master Sommelier exam in 1993 and is one of 105 Master Sommeliers in the United States and 170 in the world. He has been an adjunct instructor for six years at the institute.
Ms. Dufault has been a sommelier and wine director for a number of restaurants including Gary Danko, Quince and RN74 in San Francisco. She has been featured on the Food Network, earned the Grand Award for Gary Danko restaurant from the Wine Spectator magazine and has been awarded “Best Wine Director 2007” by San Francisco Magazine.
“It has been incredible to watch these students as their palates transform,” said Mr. Bath. “Their confidence builds as they are learning to taste wine, beer, spirits, coffee, and tea. It will be exciting to see where they go and what great things they accomplish once they graduate.”
Mr. Kohan said one of the best things he experienced was being able to get time with some of the industry giants.
“We went to Opus One and we were only supposed to be there for one hour but they kept us there for four hours. We had the same experience at Domaine Carneros and several other places. The winemakers took the time out to talk to us; it made us all feel really good,” he said.
Every day for 30 weeks the students tasted between six and 22 wines per day.
“We tasted wine from every region all over the world,” Mr. Kohan said. “Our program has put all of us in a really unique position to kind of do whatever we want. The industry is big in dollars but small in numbers of people who are trained. We had this hands-on classroom experience to think about things logically.”
The next course starts in September. Up to 24 students will be admitted.
Information can be found at www.ciaprochef.com/winestudies/certification.
“The world is our wine glass,” said Mr. Kohan. “We really have our options open. We have not even graduated and we already have so many opportunities.”

http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/33833/from-political-science-to-sommelier-in-30-weeks/

Recent survey done by Philippines Clark Marketing shows that there is a subtle shift of preferences of Manila visitors heading out of town towards the north to enjoy some peace and quiet time with families. More and more foodies, critics, connoisseurs, frequent diners and wine lovers from Manila travel out of town north to Clark Pampanga to wine and dine in famous fine dining Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most visitors enjoy the fine vintage wines from the cellars of this fine dining restaurant. Some purchase a few good bottles of to bring back home to Manila.

Even tourists and business travelers staying in hotels in Philippines Angeles Pampanga take time off from nightlife, bars and other city entertainment to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of wine shopping in this top rated wine shop in Clark Freeport Pampanga. Foreign and local tourists visiting Clark remember shopping in this wine shop as a memorable experience of their stay in the Philippines, Subic and Pampanga.

Italian food is everywhere in the Philippines but good Italian restaurants are few and far apart. Fans of Italian cuisines now look for fine dining restaurants that serve good Italian food accompanied by fine Italian vintage wine. Although Yats Restaurant is classified as a French Mediterranean restaurant, its classic European cuisine includes many of the great recipes from Italy. The fine vintage wines of Clark Wine Center play an important role in this famous restaurant in Clark to make the Italian wine dinners just that much more special.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com