Alpana Singh

Master Sommelier, TV Host, Entrepreneur

Travels From Travels From:
Chicago, IL, USA
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Alpana Singh Biography

One of just 274 master sommeliers worldwide, and one of just 24 women to be given the distinction, Alpana Singh became the youngest woman ever to pass the final level of the Master Sommelier exam at age 26. Born and raised in Monterey, California, her early work experience came from working in her family's ethnic grocery store, instilling in her a strong work ethic and ease with people of all backgrounds. Her passion for wine was ignited while waiting tables in college, combining her interests in travel, history, and food.

Singh shares her journey from being the daughter of Fijian-Indian immigrants to becoming a successful entrepreneur and television personality in a male-dominated field. She educates audiences on wine, teaching them how to taste "blind," make professional purchases, and pair wines seamlessly with meals.

Starting her career at 19 as a wine sales clerk at Nielsen Bros. Market in Carmel, California, Singh quickly ascended to a sommelier position at Everest Restaurant in Chicago by age 23. She earned her Master Sommelier title three years later. This achievement, combined with her dynamic presence, led to her role as host for ten seasons of the three-time Emmy Award-winning restaurant review show, "Check, Please!" on Chicago’s PBS station. She returned to the show in 2018 after a brief hiatus.

In 2006, Singh authored "Alpana Pours: About Being a Woman, Loving Wine, and Having Great Relationships," a lifestyle book that intertwines wine insights with societal observations on relationships. The book offers a humorous and relatable look at interactions between men and women, along with entertaining hosting and entertaining tips.

Singh's entrepreneurial spirit led her to open The Boarding House in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in December 2012. She expanded her restaurant portfolio with Seven Lions on Chicago's Michigan Avenue in February 2015 and Terra & Vine in Evanston, Illinois, in 2016. Most recently, she launched Alpana in Chicago’s historical Gold Coast in 2022, reinforcing her significant impact on the local culinary scene.

A key figure in the Illinois Restaurant Association and on the Executive Committee of Choose Chicago as Treasurer, Singh was pivotal in bringing the James Beard Foundation Awards to Chicago in 2015. She remains a dedicated supporter of Deborah's Place, which assists and empowers women facing homelessness.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/22/2024.

Alpana Singh Speaking Topics

  • Motivation & Determination in Life: How the Daughter of Fiji Immigrants Became the Youngest Woman to Ever Pass the Master Sommelier Exam

  • Turning a Passion for Wine into a Career

  • Pairing Wine with Food

  • The Basics of Wine Tasting: How to Taste Like a Master Sommelier

  • How to Run a Successful Beverage Program: From Purchasing to Developing & Maintaining a Wine Cellar

  • It’s all in the nose.

    Singh’s expertise stems from a highly attuned palette, but she assures audiences that everyone can develop one if they learn to stop fearing wine and just figure out what tastes right. From corporate parties and dinners with corresponding wine tastings personally selected for the event, to course by course “How to Taste Like a Master” interactive sessions, Singh’s presentations are lively, informative, and tastefully fun. Being a unique member of her industry’s elite group of specialists, she also uses anecdotes and personal stories about becoming the first Indian Woman to vault to the status of Master Sommelier. She conducts classes, provides post-event mixers and instructional wine bars for attendees, and creates exceptional experiences that are the ideal pairing of the informative and the entertaining. And everyone walks away with a greater knowledge about not only wine, but about the surprising depth of their personal taste.

Alpana Singh Videos

  • Terroir - Alpana Singh
  • One Chicago Stories - Alpana Singh
  • Global Perspectives: Alpana Singh

Alpana Singh Books

  • Alpana Pours: About Being a Woman, Loving Wine, and Having Great Relationships
    Alpana Pours: About Being a Woman, Loving Wine, and Having Great Relationships

FAQs on booking Alpana Singh

  • How do I book Alpana Singh to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Alpana Singh for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Alpana Singh, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Alpana Singh or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Alpana Singh

    Speaking fees for Alpana Singh, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Alpana Singh are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Alpana Singh, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Alpana Singh speak about?

    Alpana Singh is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Asian & Pacific Heritage, Authors, Celebrity, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, Entertainers, Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Literary, Television & Film.
  • Where does Alpana Singh travel from?

    Alpana Singh generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Alpana Singh’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Alpana Singh for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Alpana Singh for your next private or corporate function.
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Alpana Singh is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Motivation & Determination in Life: How the Daughter of Fiji Immigrants Became the Youngest Woman to Ever Pass the Master Sommelier Exam, Turning a Passion for Wine into a Career, Pairing Wine with Food, The Basics of Wine Tasting: How to Taste Like a Master Sommelier, How to Run a Successful Beverage Program: From Purchasing to Developing & Maintaining a Wine Cellar and It’s all in the nose.. The estimated speaking fee range to book Alpana Singh for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Alpana Singh generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Will Guidara, Aarti Sequeira, Andrea Immer Robinson, Jörn Kleinhans and Art Smith. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Alpana Singh for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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