RAJAT PARR

Raj Parr is a James Beard award-winning author, wine professional, and globally celebrated sommelier. After professionally training as a chef in Calcutta, India, Raj headed to the United States and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, where he ultimately discovered his passion for wine.

With a deep desire to pursue the cellar over the kitchen, Raj ventured to San Francisco to join the team at Rubicon, a respected wine-focused restaurant founded by Master Sommelier Larry Stone. Raj quickly rose in the ranks and became a student of Stone. At Rubicon, Raj honed his wine knowledge and tasting skills, eventually leaving to take over the wine program at San Francisco’s landmark Fifth Floor restaurant, then moving to join chef Michael Mina as wine director of Mina’s eponymous restaurant. By the end of his trajectory with Mina, Raj oversaw the wine programs at over 20 restaurants across the country.