Sommelier and general manager of A16, San Francisco.

When you decide that you want to get into the restaurant business, you become part of a community. I ‘ve been in the restaurant business for 20 years and I look at it like a life experience. My first job in the restaurant industry was when I was 15 because I’m from a large family and it was important to make an extra buck! For me, it’s been more of a family atmosphere.When I teach classes, I love to see people with open minds and that’s the direction we took with the restaurant.

Member Since

Jul 10, 2006

Sites

• A16 San Francisco

What is the next…

Purchase you’ll make?

Some shoes. I’m definitely hard on my shoes! I wear wedges a lot because I like a little bit of a heel. I always joke that I’m going to run the Bay to Breakers in heels!

Trend in design?

In food and wine, it will be a lot more use of olive oil than butter and fresh seasonal ingredients simply prepared.

Car you’d like to own?

My husband wanted to get 2 Minis, but because we want to start a family, I’m not sure. I really don’t drive much in the city except to go to the grocery store or wine events. I taxi everywhere else so I don’t notice cars much.

Big step you’d like to make?

We might go into the retail wine business and we’ve been developing a new concpet for a restaurant. And this might happen at the same time as we’re planning to have a family!

Fad that will fade?

People are moving more towards real cooking and real flavors rather than constructed food. Not so much formal presentation. It will be more about the flavor. In fashion, because there a lot of celebrities that are pregnant, a lot of tops look like maternity tops! I don’t think that will last.

Vacation you’ll take?

A wine trip to Italy next month.

Thing you’re going to fight for?

There a lot of laws that are passed without keeping the interests of small businesses in mind. Lots of laws benefit big businesses but are really tough on small businesses. If small businesses had more of a voice in government, it would benefit all of us.

Secret that’s going to leak?

Wine bars. They’re good for the community. They’re a place where people can get together and have a conversation and get out from behind the computer!

Hollywood blockbuster going to be about?

Something set in French Africa. How about the emancipation of Tunisia. A lot of the winemakers in the South of France are from Tunisia and emigrated at that time. I’d love to see that.

Life you’ll lead?

I’m torn between two opposites. One would be a creative life in fashion or acting. The other would be to help people in the developing world and spend time there.

Fountain of youth?

It’s not plastic sugery. It’s drinking water and moisturizing. I believe you earn your wrinkles and there’s nothing wrong with getting older. The fountain of youth is an internal thing.

Book you’ll read?

I’m always reading books about wine. The next one will probably be about Eastern European wines.

Thing that will change the world?

Gas prices and new modes of traveling.

Guilty-pleasure food in which you’ll indulge?

I’m going to try a new restaurant called Coi later this week. It’ll be there.

Person to whom you’ll say, “I love you”?

I say it to people I work with all the time. But it’s different when I say it to my husband.