Mary Ross is an internationally-recognized wine and food professional, educator and journalist. She is the first American woman to receive the Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award of Excellence” and the second American woman to receive the Court of Master Sommelier’s “Advanced Sommelier” degree. Her lively and informative style makes her a popular speaker, with clients including Clicquot USA, the Commercial Office of Spain, Crystal Cruises and The Chopping Block. Ross’s articles on wine and food have appeared in Chicago Tribune, Decanter and the “Good Wine” column for the Daily Herald. As a fourth generation Chicagoan and a fourth generation wine and food professional, Ross has helped stimulate Chicago’s transformation from a town of hot dogs and pizza into Conde Nast Traveler’s “Best Restaurant City in America’ (May 15, 2017.)