For the two day Court of Master Sommeliers Level One course, we drove to Tampa, He and She taking turns quizzing the one driving. The Epicurean Hotel is a unique hotel designed to make a foodie weak in the knees. We were greeted by one of the most cheerful managers ever who provided the royal treatment. The manager gave us a tour of the entire facility then led us to our suite.

If we were in the hotel design business this place would be our inspiration.

The entry walls are paneled with wine crates, the lobby desks are wine coolers, the hotel gift shop is a wine store with an extensive selection from around the world, the restaurant, Elevage, and the Edge Rooftop Bar are terrific! There is a demonstration kitchen one can rent for events (Epicurean Theatre), and everyone seemed to love their jobs. I wished Tampa was closer to home.

Our suite was decorated in wine motif and came equipped with a kitchenette that included a stocked wine cooler, crystal stemware, a pantry filled with artisan snacks, and a view of Bern’s Steak House out our window. What better place to become a Sommelier? 

We snuck a peek at the classroom set up the night before – and went to bed with butterflies in our stomachs hoping we could pull this off!

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