About Elliot Essman

Elliot's book, Use Wine to Make Sense of the World, was published in January 2010.
As a reporter, reviewer and lecturer, Elliot hosts tastings and private wine events, in addition to giving public presentations about wine and food issues.
Elliot was a 2005 nominee for the James Beard Foundation Journalism Award in the Spirits, Wine or Beer category for his article on Mexican Beer.
In 2007 Elliot earned the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Advanced Certificate in Wines & Spirits (with Distinction).
Elliot holds a Blue Ribbon Diploma in Professional Baking and Pastry Skills from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York.
Elliot earned a Degree in Mixology from the International School of Bartending in New York.
Elliot is a Langevin Learning Services - Certified Instructor/Facilitator.
Elliot qualified as a Brainbench.com - Certified Business Writer (99th percentile score nationally).
Elliot earned his Toastmasters International Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Designation. He has been a member of Toastmasters since 1985 and has been first place trophy winner in 21 Toastmasters public speaking contests.

Law school led to a five-year stint in legal publishing as a writer and editor, after which Elliot branched out for ten years as an independent ghost-writer, editor, and computer consultant. Strong background in the French and German languages gave him concurrent work as a business translator.
Elliot's work with writing and editorial clients in the fragrance and cosmetics industry led to marketing consulting and field training assignments, during which he used and also developed his public speaking and training skills.
After completing cooking school later in life, Elliot moved into newspaper food writing, specializing in articles about kitchen techniques, giving historical and cultural perspective on food and beverage issues, and eventually earning the James Beard Award nomination for his writing, as well as several other journalism awards.
The final combination of everything Elliot has done involves wine. His careful articles and reviews of individual wines and his involvement in community wine tastings and events unite his communications skills with his strong intellectual interest in wine, food, culture, history, geography, and language.

Elliot lives in New Rochelle, New York, and spends a good deal of time in nearby Manhattan at wine and food events, as well as French-language activities.
Elliot is an avid tennis fan, and will talk about the sport in detail if not stopped.
Elliot plays blues and jazz on the guitar and piano.
Elliot has a son (Thor Bjarke Essman) who is married and lives in Melbourne, Australia. Elliot's granddaughter Selena was born in 2008.
It should come as no surprise that Elliot enjoys food, wine and entertaining.
Elliot's Current Contact Information

food writer Elliot Essman James Beard Foundation Journalism Award

Elliot Essman - Chinon, France Wine Cellar
Elliot in Chinon, France: March 2008

Elliot Essman, Thor Essman, Selena Essman
Elliot, Thor and Selena Essman: November 2008