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Belinda Chang

Sommelier

Last updated: Apr 03, 2013

Contact Information
More Details

Last updated: Apr 3 2013

Beverage Director, Culinary Concepts Hospitality Group
Summary

Recognized by Food & Wine Magazine for her outstanding wine lists, 2011 winner of the James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Wine Service” Award and a national TV veteran, Belinda Chang joined Danny Meyer’s restaurant, The Modern, as Wine Director in November 2007. Previously, she ruled the wine cellars of Chicago top restaurants (Charlie Trotter’s, Rick Tramonto’s Osteria Via Stato) and San Francisco’s Fifth Floor restaurant. Chang has authored the wine notes for three cookbooks (Charlie Trotter’s Meat and Game, and Rick Tramonto’s Fantastico! and Osteria Cookbook), and written for several national publications. This expert sommelier has appeared on-stage educating restaurateurs, wine directors and wine lovers at The National Restaurant Association Show, The Food and Wine Aspen Classic and The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. She has also appeared on wine segments on CBS, NBC in addition to hosting the Chicago episode of The Fine Living Network’s “We Live Here” show.

Specialties

James Beard Winner and Published Author (Books)

View Extended Profile (Education, Experience, Awards, etc)

Work Experience: Culinary

  • Culinary Concepts Hospitality Group
    Title: Beverage Director
    Chef: Jean-Georges Vongerichten
    Cuisine: Kauai Grill at the St. Regis Princeville Resort; J&G Grill at the St. Regis Deer Valley; Spice Markets in New York City and at W Hotel locations in Doha, Atlanta-Midtown and London; Lagoon at the St. Regis Bora Bora; J&G Steakhouse at the Phoenician, Scottsdale and W Washington DC; Market at W Boston, W Buckhead and the Shangri-La Vancouver; and Fern at the St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico.
    Notes:

    Employment: Mar 2012 - Present
  • The Modern
    Title: Wine and service director
    Chef: Gabriel Kreuther
    Cuisine: French-American cuisine
    Notes:

    Employment: Nov 2007 - May 2011
  • Cenitare
    Title: Corporate Director of wine and spirits
    Chef: Rick Tramonto
    Cuisine: Designed, planned and recruited for four restaurant concepts.
    Notes:

    Employment: Sep 2004 - Oct 2007
  • Osteria Via Stato
    Title: Wine and service director
    Chef: Rick Tramonto
    Cuisine: Italian
    Notes:
    Was on opening staff

    Employment: Sep 2004 - Oct 2007
  • Fifth Floor
    Title: General Manager and Wine Director
    Chef: Laurent Gras
    Cuisine: New American
    Notes:
    Was on opening staff

    Employment: Sep 2002 - Jul 2004
  • Charlie Trotter's
    Title: Sommelier and Wine Director
    Chef: Charlie Trotter
    Cuisine: Seasonal American
    Notes:

    Employment: Jul 1997 - Jul 2002
Last updated: May 19 2013

Awards

  • James Beard Best Wine Service, Fifth Floor (nominated in 2004)
  • James Beard Outstanding Wine Service, The Modern (2011)
Last updated: Jun 28 2011

Accolades

  • Top 20 People Under 40, 7 X 7 Magazine January 2003 (Significant local press)

  • Wine Director of the Year, San Francisco Magazine January 2004 (Significant local press)

Last updated: Jun 28 2011

Other Education

  • Rice University
    1996
    Allied-Signal National Merit Scholarship, Baxter Foundation Scholarship Rice University Science Student Scholarship & Illinois State Scholar

Last updated: Jun 28 2011