Meet Cassandra E. Sakai, currently serving as the Corporate Director of Beverage Operations at Gibsons Restaurant Group. Hailing from the Bay Area, her journey is truly uplifting.

Having fallen in love with Chicago's vibrant restaurant scene, Cassandra's trajectory soared after becoming a certified sommelier at the impressive age of 22. Her tenure at Girl & the Goat marked the beginning of an amazing career trajectory, where she not only curated an award-winning wine program but also took charge of multiple restaurant wine lists within Boka Restaurant Group.

Image: Gibsons Restaurant Group

In 2021, Cassandra reached new heights as the Wine Director for Chicago's iconic Gibsons Restaurant Group. Not content with limits, within a year, she earned the role of Corporate Beverage Director of Operations, overseeing a remarkable 14 properties across 3 states.

Cassandra's philosophy revolves around making food and wine approachable, aligning seamlessly with Gibsons Group Values of Family, Hospitality, Quality, and Value. Her passion extends beyond the professional realm, as she finds joy in traveling, exploring new culinary havens, and indulging in a good run with her trusty four-legged companion aka her dog.

We are thrilled to know that Cassandra E. Sakai, with her wealth of knowledge, experience, creativity, and dedication has joined the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards judging panel. We eagerly await the valuable contributions she'll bring to Chicago this May 21st, 2024.

Here are some of the judges who will participate in the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

WAYNE BELDING MS, Master Sommelier and Partner at Preferably, Colorado

PETER GRANOFF MS, Master Sommelier, Wine Educator, Speaker, Entrepreneur, San Francisco

BRIAN KOZIOL MS, Master Sommelier at Maverick Beverage Company, Chicago

RACHEL LOWE, Director of Beverage for Levy Restaurants.

ALEXANDER POWELL MS, Master Sommelier and Senior Wine Manager at Grill 23 & Bar, Boston

LISA SELMAN CSS, Alchemy Room Beverage Director

KYUNGMOON KIM MS, Master Sommelier

VINCENT MORROW MS, Master Sommelier and Wine Director at PRESS Napa Valley, San Francisco

BRANDON TEBBE, MS, Master Sommelier

SERAFIN ALVARADO MSm Master Sommelier and Director of Wine Education at Southern Wine & Spirits

JEREMY SHANKER MS, Corporate Wine Director at Mina Group and Master Sommelier

SCOTT BARBER, President at Green Pin Wines

LARISSA C DUBOSE, National Director Beverages- Dining Division at Paradies Lagardère and Wine Enthusiast Magazine Future 40, Vino Volo National Buyer

BRANDON BIERLEIN, Director of Food & Beverage, Talbott Hotel Chicago

GUILLERMO BRAVO, Beverage Director at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Chicago

ALLISON CURATOLO, Wine Director RPM Italian Las Vegas

ANIKA ELLISON, Wine Manager, Swift & Sons Steakhouse, Chicago

KRISTIN FRANCESCO, Sommelier at Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Chicago

JAMIE HARRISON RUBIN, Procurement & Placements at Culinary Conservatory

COLIN HOFER, General Manager of Restaurants, Four Seasons Chicago

JENNIFER KNOTT, Director of Beverage for Levy at Chicago Symphony Orchestra

JOSH KING, Director of Food and Beverage, Virgin Hotels, Chicago

JOHN MARAFFA, Corporate Beverage Manager, Morton's The Steakhouse | Strip House Steakhouse & Cocktail Lounge | Morton's Grille

JON MCDANIEL, Founder & CEO of Ottantadu

TIFFANY TOBEY, Owner and Sommelier, Tiffany's Toast, Dallas, Texas

View the full panel of the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards judges here.

Looking to grow your wine brand in the on-premise channel of the USA?

The 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards are accepting entries now. It's open for both international and domestic wines. Your entered wines will receive scores, tasting notes, and feedback from expert judges.

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Take advantage of the early bird pricing that's on till January 31, 2024. Here are the winning benefits of entering the 2024 competition and detailed steps on how to enter.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is organized by Beverage Trade Network. Beverage Trade Network (BTN) is a global media and B2B networking platform servicing suppliers, buyers, and beverage professionals in the global beverage industry. BTN also owns BevRoute, a magazine for Importers and Distributors, and runs a lineup of trade shows around the world which includes  USA Trade Tasting in New York,  IBWSS UK  in London,  and IBWSS USA  in San Francisco. Beverage Trade Network also owns and runs the London Wine Competition, London Beer Competition, London Spirits Competition, and USA Wine Ratings.