Waterfront Seafood Grill’s Chris Sparkman Named ‘Sommelier of the Year’ by Seattle Magazine

Talented Team at Waterfront Restaurant Takes Two Top Wine Titles

SEATTLE, Wash.—(April 28, 2011)— Waterfront Seafood Grill’s Chris Sparkman has added another honor to his lengthy résumé: The restaurant’s longtime general manager was named ‘Sommelier of the Year’ by Seattle Magazine (“Best Washington State Wines of 2011,” an article singling out distinguished wines and luminaries). Sparkman joins Waterfront’s Director of Wine, Kristin Young, who was given the same distinction at the recent Washington Wine Restaurant Awards for the Washington State Wine Commission.

To say Chris Sparkman’s life revolves around wine would be quite an understatement. Prior to relocating to the Northwest and joining Waterfront Seafood Grill, he served as sommelier and wine buyer in dining rooms across the country, including tenure at such esteemed restaurants as Commander’s Palace (New Orleans), Michael’s (Santa Monica) and Todd English’s Olives (Washington, D.C.). In the eight years he led Waterfront as G.M., he made wine enjoyment and education his mission, not only for guests but for the more than two-dozen staff he guided to first-level sommelier status or higher.

Sparkman was recently promoted from his G.M. position and now holds a special position as Wine Syndicate Director for Waterfront Seafood Grill and the four El Gaucho locations, overseeing all wine programs for Mackay Restaurants. Additionally, he and his wife, Kelly, are the founders of Sparkman Cellars, which has been going strong since 2004. The acclaimed winery located in Woodinville, Washington has yielded numerous highly rated, award-winning vintages.

“We are thrilled to have not one but two ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award-winners in our Waterfront family,” says Chad Mackay, COO of Mackay Restaurants. “It’s always been clear that Chris’s extensive wine knowledge has been an incredible asset, but this award is really a great testament to his boundless passion for wine and dedication to Washington wines in particular.”

Open since 2000, Waterfront Seafood Grill, located on Pier 70 in Seattle, features outstanding fresh seafood accompanied by sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Winner of the Washington State Wine Commission Restaurant of the Year, the restaurant is open Sunday - Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m., bar open 4 p.m. until close; Friday - Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m., bar open 4 p.m. until close. Follow us on Twitter at @Waterfront70.

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Website: www.waterfrontpier70.com | www.mackayrestaurants.com

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