Jimmy Cefalo's grandfather came to the United States 100 years ago carrying a wine press and a dream. His father, a wine maker and innkeeper from central Italy, had given him that press so he could continue the family tradition. And so he did. By using the skills learned at his father's knee, Jimmy's grandfather crafted his wines with family skill and a passion, which could be tasted in every glass. Jimmy Cefalo is part of the 4th generation of the Cefalo's wine family, and is a well-known wine enthusiast and expert.
Originally from Pittston, Pennsylvania, Jimmy attended Penn State University where he played football and graduated with a degree in Journalism. He holds a long list of impressive NFL career credentials from both on and off the field. During his years as a Wide Receiver for the Miami Dolphins, he played with Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino and was coached by the legendary Don Shula. In 1988, Jimmy earned an Emmy award for his coverage of the 24th Olympic Games.
Cefalo currently concentrates his efforts on his wine business, and is both the Sports Director and Sports Anchor for Local 10 Miami News Monday through Friday. During football season he also assumes hosting duties on Sports Jam Live TV show and is the voice of the Miami Dolphins radio broadcast team
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Dustin Clark says in the Pacific Northwest, he has found some of the best produce worldwide. "When I spent three months traveling around Europe, I always compared it to the great fruits and vegetables in Oregon. Even the open-air markets in Nice on the coast of France didn't measure up," he says.
A South Dakota native, Dustin began work in restaurants during his teen years after having spent his youth fishing, hunting and gardening. At 18, he was enrolled at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont, and did one of his externships at Wildwood. "I hadn't been introduced to Cory yet," says Dustin, "when he followed me around on my first day. He thought my method for cooking asparagus was unusual. Then he tried one," Cory has trusted Dustin ever since. "His influence on Wildwood's menu has brought a deeper focus to the study and definitions of foods of the Pacific Northwest," notes Cory. "Dustin understands the raw product so well - he puts in into its simplest form, which emphasizes its true flavor." In 2006, Dustin quickly moved to Chef de Cuisine, and on to Executive Chef at Wildwood.
Dustin has a very cerebral approach to cooking, and he especially enjoys preparing game. "The challenge is to balance and enhance the flavors," he says. "The mistake is when other flavors on the plate overpower a mild taste, like rabbit, or to not use strong enough tastes so that they're lost next to the flavors of wild game."
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Zev Rovine is a certified sommelier. He has worked in several acclaimed restaurants in New York and San Francisco, including Jean-George's Mercer Kitchen, Jean-George, Frisson, Shanghai 1930, and Butter. At these restaurants he learned the art of pairing wines not only with French cuisine, but also with Asian cuisine and sushi. He presently teaches wine education for both the Spotted Frog Bookstore and Wine Bar and the Art of Wine in Park City. He also currently consults for the wine importers Bon Vivant, helping them build a portfolio of diverse and high quality wines from Spain and Italy. Look for his Weekly Wine Column in the weekend edition of the Park Record for tips on great wines and cheeses.
Diane Sheya, Ivy House Herbs - owner
Diane Sheya is known locally as the “herb chef” and is the owner of Ivy House Herbs. She has been the weekly guest chef on the local FOX tv affiliate mid-day news program for the past four years as well as a culinary instructor for the University of Utah’s Lifelong Learning program, Red Butte Gardens, Kimball Distributing, Wild Oats, as well as private hands-on classes.
Diane incorporates the use of culinary herbs into healthy yet easy-to-prepare menu strategies. Diane loves wine and enjoys pairing wine with everything she eats. Her enthusiasm, passion and open dialogue make for a fun and informative class. Diane shares these passions with her husband Rich and their two grown children, Melody and Cameron, son-in-law Jack and daughter-in-law Aleah.
Diane is also the Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association-Utah Chapter. Back to Top
Gus Magan, President - Vine Lore
Gus is responsible for all operating and management concerns for Vine Lore, along with additional restaurant training, wine list and wine dinner development. Before joining Vine Lore, Gus was a restaurateur with an educational background in Career Culinary Arts and a Masters in Business Administration. Voted “Best Unheralded Chef” in Utah, Gus still prepares several charity dinners per year. He writes bimonthly wine articles and is a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators. Gus has completed the Executive Wine Program and has passed the California State Wine Judges Exam, both at the University of California-Davis. He serves annually as a judge at wine competitions, and has been accepted into and is currently pursuing the Masters of Wine degree.
Born and raised on a family orchard in Sodus Michigan, Steven Rosenberg is the “Chief Eating Officer” at Liberty Heights Fresh. Now in their fifteenth season, and with a staff of 25 passionate “Foodies”, Rosenberg has undertaken the mission of educating the community about pleasurable authentic traditional, local, regional and organic food; and tempting guests with hand-selected edibles discovered in his travels from artisan producers around the world.
Prior to opening Liberty Heights Fresh, Rosenberg worked as a fruit and vegetable grower, picker, packer, and peddler; as a wholesale produce merchant; flower importer and filmmaker. He has a BS in Food Marketing and Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University.
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Steven Rosenberg is active in the local community, co-founding the Salt Lake Vest Pocket Business Coalition, a small business advocacy group, and also has served on the boards of Utahns Against Hunger, The Central Regional Council for Utah Workforce Services, Slow Food Utah, The Salt Lake City Farmers Market, and The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (N.A.S.F.T.).
Steven is the spouse of artist Erin Mattes, and is the father of Noah (14) and Tobias (10).
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