Meet Trinidad's Sommelier Brendon Charles

Photo credit - BC Hospitality 

Brendon, Trinidad born moved to Georgia, USA to pursue his university studies. It was during his stay here, he visited vineyards in Napa which developed his passion and appreciation for wine. After he completed his Master of Science degree in International Hotel and Resort Management, he moved to London. He worked at an organic wine bar, Bar Battu, The Vintry and the Intercontinental Park Lane. 

Brendon then moved to Dubai, where he started working with some of the city's best Sommelier and at some of the best restaurants. He was part of the pre-opening team at the Cave Wine Bar in the Conrad Hotel and Hakkasan, before he joined Okku Dubai. After an amazing three years, he worked up himself up to Head Sommelier. He then joined Pierchic, part of the Jumeirah Group Restaurant, as Beverage Manager. During his stay at Dubai, Brendon expanded his knowledge by studying Sake, Spirits and Cigars. He then returned to the Caribbean at Jade Mountain Resort as a Resutaraunt Manager and Head Sommelier. 

Wait? What's a Sommelier you ask?

A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional working in fine dinning restaurants who is specialized in all aspects of wine services and wine and food pairing. 

Brendon won several awards over the past years. 

2017 - Sommelier of the Year for the Middle East region by Caterer Middle East Magazine

2017 - Award of Excellence with Okku Dubai in Wine Spectator Magazine

2018 - Award of Excellence with Pierchic Dubai in Wine Spectator Magazine

Only recently Brendon decided to move back home to Trinidad and create his own company BC Hospitality Limited. He aims to share his knowledge and passion for wine with others. He is determined to work with local hospitality providers to take the Caribbean Food and Beverage Industry to the next level. He has worked with places such as Touch n Taste, Boquerin Seafood and Tapas, Catering Team at the Office of the President and many more to come. 

Are you interested in doing a wine course? 

BC Hospitality also offers Wine Masterclasses for all wine lovers who are interested in learning more about wine. Being the wine junkie I am, I attended the Wine Masterclass Level 1 and it was an exceptional experience, from start to finish. Brendon, is truly the Guru of wine and his willingness to share information freely and his style of teaching is admirable. I recommend all wine lovers and those not so much, to take this class and I guarantee you would enjoy wine in a completely different way. 

This might have been my best class ever 😅🍷

Meeting Brendon has been a real lovely experience. He is a true Sommelier and carries out himself in a such a professional charismatic way that adds to the elegance that accompanies wines. He is truly knowledgeable and his wife Julie is an exceptional host. Both husband and wife runs their establishment BC Hospitality which is not only a place to learn about wine, but to shop for wine! Imagine shopping for wine with under the guidance of a Sommelier, you can't get better than that. So feel free to visit their wine shop at Carlos Street Port-of-Spain for all your wine needs! 

Grabbing a photo with T&T's own Sommelier after a wonderful wine Masterclass.