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Working in the restaurant industry since she was thirteen, Victoria James overcame great hardships to become the country’s youngest sommelier at age twenty-one.
James is now the beverage director and partner of Michelin-starred Cote Korean Steakhouse in New York City, where she continues to revolutionize the restaurant industry through her emphasis on old-school hospitality and Wine Empowered, a non-profit she co-founded that diversifies the hospitality industry by offering tuition-free wine classes to women and minorities. James, who just released her new memoir Wine Girl, will lead an hour of immersive conversation, sharing insight into training your wine palate, knowing the qualities of good wine, and exploring ways to support the hospitality industry during this unprecedented time.
92Y is confronting tremendous financial losses due to COVID-19.
Your ticket purchase will help sustain our beloved institution and will also support the creation of new, online programming that will bring comfort and inspiration to our community.
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Programs taking place online:An access link will be emailed to you after purchase.
Programs taking place in our NYC facilities:Please read our safety guidelines before visiting our building.
Programs taking place online and in our NYC facilities:Please select which experience you wish to participate in when registering. Online participants will be emailed an access link after purchase. In-person participants should read our safety guidelines before attending the program.
Victoria James is the Beverage Director and Partner at Cote, the Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse in New York City …
Victoria James is the Beverage Director and Partner at Cote, the Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse in New York City, and recently received a James Beard nomination for "Outstanding Wine Program." She has worked in restaurants since she was thirteen. She fell in love with wine and when she was twenty-one became certified as a sommelier. She has worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in New York City including Marea and Aureole. Victoria’s name has appeared on many notable lists: Forbes "30 Under 30," Food & Wine's "2018 Sommelier of the Year," Zagat’s “30 Under 30,” Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40,” Wine & Spirits’ “Best New Sommeliers,” and The Back Label declared her “New York’s Youngest Sommelier.” She is the author of Drink Pink, A Celebration of Rosé (May 2nd, 2017, HarperCollins) and Wine Girl (March 2020, Ecco/HarperCollins). She also has a print columnist for Forbes magazine, "Buy, Hold, Sell," and has contributed to Cosmopolitan, Munchies, and Bon Appétit. Along with Cote's General Manager (Amy Zhou) and Events Director (Cynthia Cheng), she has founded WINE EMPOWERED, a non-profit that diversifies the hospitality industry by offering free wine classes to women and minorities.
Online Class with Dale DeGroff and Erik Andersson
Online Class