Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Relevant Accomplishments & Experiences
Timeline
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Jason Yamasaki

Wine Professional
Vancouver

Summary

An accomplished wine professional with a dynamic blend of knowledge, leadership, and charisma with a mastery in event creation and public speaking. As Group Sommelier for JOEY Restaurants, Jason oversees the wine program for over 50 locations across North America, while also creating and leading corporate events like global food and wine experiences and flagship conferences. For the past seven years, Jason has proudly served as the Chianti Classico Ambassador to Western Canada, deepening connections with this historic region and educating top trade and enthusiastic public in sold-out events. Additionally, Jason is the Event and Seminar Lead for Top Drop Canada, curating and delivering high-impact experiences for wine professionals and consumers. Blending expertise with infectious enthusiasm, Jason's talent for engaging and motivating audiences inspires unforgettable moments that shift perspectives and ignite loyal interest.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Group Sommelier & Corporate Event Manager

JOEY Restaurants
05.2016 - Current
  • Responsible for the creation and business performance of wine programs for more than 50 restaurants across North America.
  • Designed virtual and in-person wine education and training programs for staff, establishing fundamental understanding, service standards, effective language, food & wine pairing, and overall engagement.
  • Cultivated relationships with over 60 importer and distributor partners across North America.
  • Developed systems to manage inventory, costing, and forecasting.
  • Created teams to deliver a calendar of corporate events.
  • Responsible for annual 2-night conference for 400 attendees, both staff, and supplier partners.
  • Built, budgeted, and executed a once-in-a-lifetime Chef Trip for 70 chefs to Italy and Monaco.

Co-Principal & Event and Trade Seminar Lead

Top Drop Canada
01.2016 - Current
  • Recruit and lead over 20 wine professionals to create and deliver unique trade seminars, featuring winemakers and principals from around the wine world.
  • Manage the communication and logistics of sourcing venues, wines, glassware, and setup.
  • Design and lead an annual mentee program with the purpose of developing future trade seminar leaders.
  • Create, market, and execute public-facing wine events in collaboration with restaurants.
  • Construct and host a collaborative draft process to have an entire team included in the creation of the seminar roster.
  • Establish and communicate seminar standards to have leaders clear on executing world-class events.

Ambassador to Western Canada

Chianti Classico Consorzio
10.2017 - Current
  • Presents annual sold-out education seminars to top trade and public in British Columbia and Alberta.
  • Created differentiated trade-facing and public-facing seminars.
  • Attendee of Festa del Chianti Classico in Denver 2022, and 2023.
  • Attendee of Chianti Classico Collection in Florence 2020, 2022, and 2023.
  • Visited over 60 wineries across every UGA in Chianti Classico.
  • Tasted and evaluated thousands of Chianti Classico wines.
  • Personal connections with winemakers and strong Italian wine voices including current and past Consorzio presidents Giovanni Manetti, Sergio Zingarelli, and Emanuela Stucchi Prinetti as well as Ian d'Agata, Michaela Morris, Jeff Porter, and Filippo Bartolotta.


Head Sommelier

Chambar Restaurant
05.2009 - 04.2016
  • Hired as a server assistant, worked through every front-of-house position, and earned the role of Wine Director.
  • Elevated the wine program from a 'Silver' to a 'Platinum', as awarded by the Vancouver International Wine Festival.
  • Built and trained a wine team to ensure exceptional wine service to a 300+ seat restaurant.
  • Designed a wine station, bottle cellar, and service sequence when the restaurant moved locations and doubled its capacity.
  • Created and executed high-profile wine dinners with clients, including Commanderie de Bordeaux, Marquis Wines, Vancouver International Wine Festival and Visa Infinite.


Avenues

The Peninsula Chicago
02.2008 - 02.2009
  • Mastered execution of fine dining service, including multi-course tasting menus, Champagne cart, wine pairing, food expediting, and tableside grace.
  • Refined my verbal communication skills to excel in the demands of a fine dining environment.
  • Key participant in transforming the restaurant into an era with a chef and service standard that would go on to earn three Michelin stars.
  • Self-motivated. This working internship fulfilled a desire to acquire fine-dining experience at a level beyond what Vancouver could offer.

Server Assistant

Lumière Restaurant
07.2007 - 01.2008

Server

Chow Restaurant
07.2007 - 01.2008

Server Assistant + Food Expediter

CinCin Ristorante
07.2006 - 07.2007

Food & Beverage Outlets

Pacific Palisades Hotel
06.2005 - 07.2007

All Front-of-House Positions

White Spot Restaurant
11.2002 - 06.2005

Education

Certified Sommelier -

International Sommelier Guild
Vancouver
05.2001 -

Level 3 Award in Wines -

Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Vancouver
05.2001 -

Bachelor of Hospitality Management -

Vancouver Community College
Vancouver
05.2001 -

Skills

  • Wine Program Development

  • Corporate Event Leadership

  • Sommelier Expertise

  • Seminar and Workshop Creation

  • Public Speaking

  • Brand Ambassador Representation

  • Wine Education and Training

  • Client Relationship Management

  • Team Leadership and Mentorship

  • Event Planning and Execution

  • Hospitality Operations Management

  • Curating Wine Experiences

  • Vendor and Supplier Relations

  • Cross-functional Collaboration

  • Storytelling and Audience Engagement

Relevant Accomplishments & Experiences

  • Best Sommelier of British Columbia 2014
  • Competitor in Best Sommelier of Canada 2015 & 2017
  • Trusted Wine Australia partner. Co-Presenter with Wine Australia's Mark Davidson.
  • Co-Creator of Australia Day Wine Dinner 2017, 2018 & 2019
  • Visited most major wine-producing countries.
  • Many TV and radio spots sharing wine.
  • Experienced home cook.

Timeline

Ambassador to Western Canada

Chianti Classico Consorzio
10.2017 - Current

Group Sommelier & Corporate Event Manager

JOEY Restaurants
05.2016 - Current

Co-Principal & Event and Trade Seminar Lead

Top Drop Canada
01.2016 - Current

Head Sommelier

Chambar Restaurant
05.2009 - 04.2016

Avenues

The Peninsula Chicago
02.2008 - 02.2009

Server Assistant

Lumière Restaurant
07.2007 - 01.2008

Server

Chow Restaurant
07.2007 - 01.2008

Server Assistant + Food Expediter

CinCin Ristorante
07.2006 - 07.2007

Food & Beverage Outlets

Pacific Palisades Hotel
06.2005 - 07.2007

All Front-of-House Positions

White Spot Restaurant
11.2002 - 06.2005

Certified Sommelier -

International Sommelier Guild
05.2001 -

Level 3 Award in Wines -

Wine & Spirit Education Trust
05.2001 -

Bachelor of Hospitality Management -

Vancouver Community College
05.2001 -

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Jason YamasakiWine Professional