Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
Slinging sauce at Gravy since its first dip of the ladle, this spirits-smart, self-taught sommelier has been holding up the rails and jacking johns (and joans) on juice since he was old enough to snatch up a liquor bottle — getting his start by banging out bevs at the beach. Schooled in finance at N.C. State, the post-grad master of monies quickly drammed up an interest in a different kind of red and white to uncork "a more passion-driven profession." Now a bit of a vino virtuoso, he got his gift-of-the-grape (and the gab) via the "court of master sommeliers and bar smarts' spirit class." Now that's gravy.
Q&A
Hometown: Everywhere. I'm a military child — no not a brat, a child. Hometowns include, but are not limited to the Spokane, Wash.; Quaglio, Sicily; Bundenbach, Germany; Shreveport, La.; Dallas and Lubbock, Texas; Emerald Isle and Raleigh, N.C.
How you landed at Gravy: An old friend made me an offer I could not refuse.
Gravy in three words: Pasta, not noodles!
What Gravy brings to the food/bar scene: A 100% Italian wine list, and a chef that isn't afraid of putting duck prosciutto on his menu.
If you have a drink in your hand, it's probs a: Bottle of white wine with a bottle of red right behind it.
Drink you could make upside down and blindfolded with a monkey on your back: Sidecars.
You're anywhere you want to be right now. Where can we find you? Italy or France.
Which of your coworkers are you most likely to drunk text? I would be seeking the advice of my lawyer, Bradley.
If they made a movie about your life, who would play the voice in your dog's head? Queen Latifah.
If you could live in any fictional place, where would it be? Mount Olympus, drinking with the gods.
Occupation you probably had in your past life: It had to be royalty, like a king or duke or what not.
Something you believed as a kid you realized was a hoax: Boogers were healthy for you.
Trip you'd give your big toe to take: Wine tour of the first growth vineyards of Bordeaux.
Last book you read: "Imbibe!"
Movie you can recite the lines to: Guy Ritchie's "RocknRolla."
The last thing that made you want to run red lights to get to: The restroom.
If you didn't know better, you'd think this song was written about you: "Pinball Wizard."
A pop culture phenomenon you could live without: Segways.
Biggest celebs you know: Bobby Times or Jay "The Beer Whisperer" Winfrey.
A book that made you want to be a better person: "The Alphabet of Manliness."
A piece of advice you got that's good enough to pass on: "Do what you love, and love what you do."
Something from the last decade that stuck with you: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Hidden talent: Flair bartending.
Weakness: The color yellow.
If we paid you enough, you'd: Drink wine, all the time.
Most ridiculous thing you've been asked to do while bartending? Juggle chainsaws. I respectfully declined, and that is why I still have both arms.
Something that makes you want to poke people in the eye: Chewing with their mouth open.
What one thing do you wish you could tell people about patronizing any bar? Put yourself in the bartender's shoes.
If you're not at work, you're most likely: Drinking obscure bottles of wine.
Other bars in the Triangle you have worked: Gravy and only Gravy.
