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The Cellar Door at The Oakville

Lettuce Women in Wine are Crushing It

Raise a glass to these spectacular somms

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s have a toast to the Lettuce women in wine! These leading ladies are breaking barriers and paving the way for the next generation. From sommeliers to wine directors, get to know some of these incredible women, their favorite wines, and their advice for aspiring wine professionals. 

Check out these worldly wine experiences at a Lettuce restaurant near you. 

Kat Hawkins headshot

Meet Kathleen Hawkins, Wine Director at the St. Regis Chicago for Miru and Tre Dita, who has been a sommelier for 15 years. For Kat, the world of wine offers endless opportunities for learning and growth because wine is ever evolving. Running two very different wine and sake programs allows for a huge level of diversity in the menu selections and pairings. From Miru, a favorite is the Kojimaya, “Untitled”, Cedar Barrel Aged Sake which is perfect with savory dishes like the Miso Black Cod. From Tre Dita, Italian white wines are the standout and the Elena Walch “Beyond the Clouds” white blend is not to be missed!

Katie Wilkinson, Sommelier at The Oakville Grill & Cellar

Next up is Katie Wilkinson, a sommelier at RPM Seafood. For Katie, the intellectual challenge and growth opportunities in a restaurant setting drew her to become a sommelier. Her go-to wine? Any Agrapart et Fils Champagne. Katie’s advice is to surround yourself with inspiring women in professional wine roles. She says when she began her career at Lettuce, joining the strong female team at RPM Restaurants was a “see it to be it” moment that allowed her to visualize what was possible and how to achieve it.

Lindsey Becker Schwartz headshot

Another leading lady with RPM Restaurants talented team of wine pros is Lindsey Becker-Schwartz, Wine Director at RPM Seafood. Post graduation, Lindsey’s return to Chicago saw her working for a hedge fund while also contributing to the food blog Serious Eats. The blog experience ignited her passion for food and hospitality. Her journey ultimately brought her to RPM Seafood, where she now serves as the Wine Director. She credits her varied experiences with earning Le Best Somm 2021, a prestigious recognition bestowed upon outstanding sommeliers who excel in the art of wine service and knowledge. Next time you see her in the dining room at RPM Seafood, be sure to ask for a pour of her favorite vino, Chablis.

Evie olson headshot

Meet Evie Olson, sommelier at Aba – Chicago. During her time working in the TV industry, Evie developed her passion for wine while hosting a beverage segment and decided to pursue her Wine & Spirits Education Trust – she was immediately hooked and has now been a sommelier for nearly a decade. Her favorite part of the job is educating the team on exciting new additions to the menu and enhancing the guest experience by guiding them to an unexpected pick. Insider scoop: Evie suggests the Merlot / Cabernet Franc, Andrew Will “Ciel du Cheval” Red Mountain, Washington and Chenin Blanc, Guiberteau “Clos des Carmes” Saumur, Loire Valley, France, 2020 if you’re ordering by the bottle.
Jody Richardson

At Mon Ami Gabi in Lincoln Park, Jody Richardson not only leads the front of house team as General Manager, but plays a large role in the bistro’s wine program. Using her keen awareness of their guest demographic’s favorites, Richardson curates the wine list with a guest-forward mentality. She loves helping people discover wines they love, showing them that it wasn’t wine, it was just that they hadn’t come across the right one. Her favorite wine region to recommend to guests is Bandol. She describes it as a “Mourvèdre that has the softness of a Pinot Noir but the spicy fruitiness of a Syrah that is middle-palated to complement everything on the Mon Ami Gabi menu.”

Let’s raise a glass and cheers to these super somms! Remember, there’s plenty of room at the table for all to succeed.

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