John Peter Laloganes
Sommelier, Author and Educator
Sommelier, Author and Educator
"Tasting wine as opposed to just drinking it adds an extra dimension to the basic routines of eating and drinking;
it turns obligation into pleasure"
it turns obligation into pleasure"
Intro - John has been a contributor, trainer, presenter and consultant to the Hospitality Industry since the mid-1980's, avidly collaborating and strategizing with restaurants and related beverage establishments.
Currently - John is the Director of Beverage Management and Assistant Professor with National Louis University (NLU) at Kendall College in Chicago, IL. In 2015, he founded of the Wine Professional (WP) Program , an accelerated 3-tiered sommelier educational track that is designed for industry professionals and hard-core wine enthusiasts.
Travels - He has traveled and tasted extensively throughout the major wine producing locations (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, California, Oregon and Washington) and beer producing locations (Germany, Belgium). Additionally, he has been exploring the whiskies of Japan and other Asian countries.
Awards - In 2016, John was awarded the "Innovation Award" by Laureate Education and also the "Employee of the Year" for Kendall College. In 2012, Mr. Laloganes was awarded in New York City with the "Sommelier/Wine Steward of the Year" by the IACP International Association of Culinary Professionals. In 2012, the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago honored him with the "Excellence in Teaching Award". In 2007, John was awarded the distinctive Sommelier Diploma (level III) through the International Sommelier Guild (ISG). Before then, he was an Associate Professor at Le Cordon Bleu Chicago where he created their wine courses and earned the “Customer Service Award” from North American Le Cordon Bleu Schools in 2005 as well as the “Educator of the Year” award in 2004.
Judging Award Competitions - He has served as a blind tasting judge with Somm Madness in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and has been a beverage book judge for the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in the category of Wine, Beer and Spirits book awards in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017.
Publications - John has authored several highly acclaimed books: The Beverage Manager's Guide to Wines, Beers and Spirits - 4th Ed in 2017; An online module, Managing the Beer-Centric Operation in 2014; The Beverage Manager's Guide to Wines, Beers and Spirits - 3rd Ed (awarded the “Best Wine Book for Professionals in the United States” in 2013 by the Gourmand International Book Awards); The Essentials of Wine with Food Pairing Techniques (Amazon #1 Best Seller in Wine Pairing)
Education - Mr. Laloganes has taken extensive coursework in Culinary Arts, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stout and a Master’s Degree in Vocational Education in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota.
Affiliations - John is a member of the Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).
- Some of his recent clients include: Uvae Kitchen and Wine Bar (Chicago, Illinois) in 2019; Manny's Ale House (Elmhurst, Illinois) in 2016-2015; Grey Plume (Omaha, Nebraska) from 2014-2012.
Currently - John is the Director of Beverage Management and Assistant Professor with National Louis University (NLU) at Kendall College in Chicago, IL. In 2015, he founded of the Wine Professional (WP) Program , an accelerated 3-tiered sommelier educational track that is designed for industry professionals and hard-core wine enthusiasts.
Travels - He has traveled and tasted extensively throughout the major wine producing locations (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, California, Oregon and Washington) and beer producing locations (Germany, Belgium). Additionally, he has been exploring the whiskies of Japan and other Asian countries.
Awards - In 2016, John was awarded the "Innovation Award" by Laureate Education and also the "Employee of the Year" for Kendall College. In 2012, Mr. Laloganes was awarded in New York City with the "Sommelier/Wine Steward of the Year" by the IACP International Association of Culinary Professionals. In 2012, the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago honored him with the "Excellence in Teaching Award". In 2007, John was awarded the distinctive Sommelier Diploma (level III) through the International Sommelier Guild (ISG). Before then, he was an Associate Professor at Le Cordon Bleu Chicago where he created their wine courses and earned the “Customer Service Award” from North American Le Cordon Bleu Schools in 2005 as well as the “Educator of the Year” award in 2004.
Judging Award Competitions - He has served as a blind tasting judge with Somm Madness in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and has been a beverage book judge for the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in the category of Wine, Beer and Spirits book awards in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017.
Publications - John has authored several highly acclaimed books: The Beverage Manager's Guide to Wines, Beers and Spirits - 4th Ed in 2017; An online module, Managing the Beer-Centric Operation in 2014; The Beverage Manager's Guide to Wines, Beers and Spirits - 3rd Ed (awarded the “Best Wine Book for Professionals in the United States” in 2013 by the Gourmand International Book Awards); The Essentials of Wine with Food Pairing Techniques (Amazon #1 Best Seller in Wine Pairing)
Education - Mr. Laloganes has taken extensive coursework in Culinary Arts, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stout and a Master’s Degree in Vocational Education in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota.
Affiliations - John is a member of the Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).
