The Sommeliers Choice Awards is honored to announce Kat Hawkins as one of its judges for the 2026 edition. With her extensive background as a wine director and her deep engagement in the Chicago restaurant scene, Kat aligns perfectly with SCA’s vision of assessing wines that perform in real-world hospitality settings.

Based in Chicago, Kat Hawkins currently serves as Wine Director at Miru, Tre Dita, and the St. Regis Bar at the new St. Regis Chicago. Previously, she held the position of Wine Director at RPM Steak, one of Chicago’s leading steakhouses, renowned for a wine list of over 1,300 rare and sought-after selections.

Originally from Detroit, Kat earned a degree in Communications from Wayne State University before redirecting her career to wine and hospitality. In Detroit, she held roles in notable restaurants and served as General Manager and Beverage Director at Wright & Company for more than four years. After relocating to Chicago in 2018, she began with Lettuce Entertain You at Shaw’s Crab House, where, as Beverage Director, she curated wine and spirits offerings spanning regional American producers and classical international regions. 

Kat is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Specialist of Wine & Spirits via the Society of Wine Educators. In 2019, Wine & Spirits Magazine named her one of America’s “Best New Sommeliers.” She has a penchant for the wines of Champagne, Alsace, and the Northern Rhône, and often cites her time in the Willamette Valley as a turning point, where she was inspired by the region’s commitment to viticultural community and craftsmanship.

What Kat Brings to the Panel

At SCA, every wine is judged across critical criteria including quality, value, food pairability, typicity, and packaging. Kat’s deep experience in restaurant wine leadership gives her a practical, guest-centric lens that complements sensory proficiency. Her familiarity with building extensive wine lists, working with varietal diversity, and matching wines to cuisine makes her especially adept at judging wines that will shine on the restaurant floor.

As part of the 2026 judging cohort, Kat joins a distinguished lineup of sommeliers, educators, and beverage executives whose assessments reflect the evolving demands and tastes of on-premise professionals across the U.S.

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About the 2026 Sommeliers Choice Awards

The 2026 SCA competition will take place in Chicago on May 18, 2026, with results to be announced on June 10, 2026. This competition is designed not only to recognize technical excellence but to identify wines that perform memorably in hospitality settings — wines that sommeliers want to pour, and guests want to discover.

Producers and wineries seeking to have their wines evaluated by leading industry voices such as Kat Hawkins are encouraged to enter the 2026 Sommeliers Choice Awards. Now is the moment to gain valuable trade insights and enhance your visibility in the U.S. on-premise market.

Submit your wines by October 31, 2025, to benefit from Super Early Bird pricing and ensure your entry is part of this exceptional lineup.

Enter Your Wines Here