Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas appoints new sommelier

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is proud to announce Barbara Werley as the restaurant's new wine director, starting Sept. 18. Werley is one of only two master sommeliers in Texas (she is the only in a restaurant setting) and one of only 15 female master sommeliers across the globe. A mere 143 master sommelier diplomas have been given, worldwide, since the inception of the Court of the Master Sommelier.

"We undertook an extensive search to find Barbara," said Rick Turner, general manager of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. "She is a unique top talent that wine enthusiasts in the area will enjoy getting to know. There are very few in the world - and in history - who have achieved the level of skill and knowledge that Barbara has. Like a fine wine, she will be one of the treasures that enhances the five-star experience for guests at Pappas Bros."

The Master Sommelier diploma distinguishes a service professional worthy of the title, and is known throughout the hospitality business worldwide. It guarantees that the sommelier is among the most qualified in the industry, with outstanding tasting and evaluation skills, wine knowledge, and outstanding abilities in service and beverage department management.

Werley arrives in Dallas from White Sulphur Springs, VA, where she was beverage director at The Greenbrier, a luxury AAA Five Diamond resort. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Werley has worked at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago and the Jockey Club at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. She served as wine director at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, the Palace Court in Las Vegas, the Arizona Biltmore in Scottsdale, Arizona, and at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia. Werley is an adjunct professor at Harrah's School of Hotel Management at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

As wine director for Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Werley is responsible for more than 33,000 bottles of wine (including one $70,000 3.0L bottle of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and an 1847 Chateau Y'Quem) from the restaurant's extraordinary wine collection. She also is responsible for providing continuous wine education and programs for both the wait staff and patrons.

Source: Pappas Bros.

Related stories

• Drew Hendricks of Charlie Palmer Dallas passes test to become master sommelier (Feb. 11, 2008)

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• Hospitality Industry > Restaurants and Bars
• Food and Drink > Wine