Raising the Bar: Women, Wine, and the Future of Beverage
With Guest Amy Racine, Beverage Director & Partner at JF Restaurants, Advanced Sommelier, and Philanthropist
Episode Summary
In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk talks with Amy Racine, a superstar in the beverage world and one of the youngest women to achieve Advanced Sommelier status. From her early days in hospitality to her current role as Beverage Director and Partner at JF Restaurants, Amy shares her personal and professional journey—including what drew her from culinary school to wine, the changing role of women in leadership, her love for collaboration and involvement in developing beverage programs like Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, and why mentorship and philanthropy are vital for building a stronger, more inclusive industry.
Together, they delve into the state of the dining experience, explore how beverage programs can elevate revenue and connection, and discuss why sustainability and community impact are more than buzzwords—they’re the future of hospitality.
What We Discussed
- Amy is the Beverage Director and Partner at JF Restaurants, where she leverages her expertise as an Advanced Sommelier.
- Amy discusses how her upbringing in Ohio, family dinners, and watching the Food Network ignited her passion for hospitality.
- While attending the Culinary Institute of America with dreams of becoming a chef, a required wine class revealed her true passion for beverages.
- Amy shares her experiences as a young woman in a male-dominated field, revealing the challenges she faced and how she gained respect through hard work and resilience.
- She shares her work with programs like Wine on Wheels and Turning Tables to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the beverage industry.
- This conversation explores the role of sustainability in hospitality, with a focus on transparency and the practical challenges of local sourcing.
- Amy expresses her passion for restaurant culture, her involvement in The Wine Project and aims to continue developing spaces that advance the industry.
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Key Takeaways
- Deep beverage knowledge enhances the guest experience and drives profitability.
- Women continue to break barriers in the beverage industry despite ongoing challenges.
- Mentorship and education play a critical role in career development.
- Philanthropy helps amplify diverse, underrepresented voices in the wine and spirits industry.
- Sustainability is reshaping how we source, serve, and think about drinks.
- Dining out is a luxury—and expectations around service and connection are higher than ever.
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Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
01:22 – Amy Racine’s Early Start in Hospitality
03:48 – Culinary School to Beverage Director
05:37 – Beverage Knowledge = Revenue + Experience
08:51 – Navigating Leadership as a Young Woman
11:54 – Becoming a Master Sommelier
14:23 – Education & Mentorship in Hospitality
17:18 – Philanthropy and Amplifying Diverse Voices
21:13 – The Wine Project: Mission and Impact
24:47 – What’s Next: Career and Industry Evolution
27:07 – Sustainability Trends in Beverage
31:04 – Local Sourcing and Supply Chain Challenges
33:57 – Dining Out: Elevated Expectations
35:57 – Favorite Cocktails and Signature Moments
40:15 – Final Thoughts & What the Future Holds
Connect with Amy Racine:
📷 Instagram @amyracine
🌐 JF Restaurants https://www.jfrestaurants.com
About Hospitality Bites:
Hosted by Colleen Silk, Hospitality Bites is an honest and restorative space for voices within the hospitality industry. More than just a podcast, it serves as a storytelling platform for changemakers, risk-takers, and hospitality professionals who are approaching their work in innovative ways. Each episode features guests ranging from chefs to advocates and media personalities, focusing on mental and physical health, personal experiences, and the realities of thriving in the hospitality industry and beyond.
New episodes of Hospitality Bites drop every Monday, now proudly under the Walk-In Talk Media umbrella.
Watch the full episode on YouTube the following week.
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