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Jon McDaniel

Head of Wine Education at Scout & Cellar, Chicago, IL

Jon McDaniel is one of the most recognized wine educators and professionals in America. He was Food + Wine Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year, on Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40 Tastemakers and has been knighted in both Piemonte and Verona, Italy. Having worked in every aspect of the wine industry, he brings expertise and enthusiasm to both the consumers and wine trade. He is winemaker of Amos Cellars in Sonoma, a Professor of Hospitality and Economics at Roosevelt University in Chicago and Harvard Business School, and most recently, Jon was a founding member of the United Sommeliers Foundation, raising funds for unemployed wine professionals. 

Meet the other judges

Jane Lopes

Sommelier, Educator, and Author • Co-Founder Legend Imports

Jared Givens

Director of Restaurants, Bars and Events for the Thompson Dallas, Hyatt Hotels