Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/884376
12 / the tasting panel / october 2017 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Christina Boutari Joins The SOMM Journal at SommCon A s the official media partner of SommCon, The Tasting Panel's sibling publication The SOMM Journal is excited to include Christina Boutari on our panel "Central Europe: Exploring Wines of Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Georgia & Greece," moderated by Jay James, Master Sommelier and Chairman of SommFoundation. (See page 38 for our SommCon preview.) Boutari hails from an iconic Greek winemaking family, as the great-granddaughter of Yiannis Boutari (founder of The Boutari Winery) and daughter of Constantine Boutari (the current President and CEO of the winery). She is responsible for the growth of Boutari Winery's exports, with a goal to educate wine enthusiasts around the globe on the real potential of Greek wines. This summer, Boutari decided to take the plunge and go above and beyond in her mission with a move to New York City. Join us for SommCon at the Marriott Marquis San Diego November 15–17. NOLA Pays It Forward to Help Houston T he Louisiana Restaurant Association and Ti Martin of Commander's Palace have teamed up with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to activate the Hurricane Harvey Hospitality Employee Relief Fund. The fund will donate individual grants to restaurant and hotel workers who are in need during this trying time. "After Hurricane Katrina, the Houston com- munity was there for New Orleans and we'll never forget it," Martin says. "Alex Brennan Martin started the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Disaster Relief Fund and it raised and gave away over $1 million in small grants to help individuals in New Orleans. Today, we are returning the favor." If you or an organization you know are looking to provide support, visit www.gnof.org/give-now/ and specify your donation is for the "Hurricane Harvey Hospitality Employee Relief Fund." If the donor prefers to send a check, make it out to the Greater New Orleans Foundation and mail it to 919 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUTARI WINERY