Torrence spent years as a chef, culinary instructor, and food writer in West Michigan, with a pop-up restaurant and a brick-and-mortar location of his own before pivoting to studying beverage. He collected wine, beer, spirits, and sake professional accreditations, as well as competition victories, with which he transitioned to restaurant consulting and education, specializing in Italian food, wine, and culture. 

In 2016, he and his husband moved to Chicago, where Torrence continued as a culinary school professor of wine. He became the Corporate Beverage Director for the Gage Hospitality Group in 2019, and continues to teach and write while managing the wine and cocktail programs for the group’s diverse collection of restaurants. He is also the Chicago Ambassador and reviewer for Star Wine List, as well as one of only 22 VIA Italian Wine Experts in the world.