Eddie Osterland

One evening, he was asked to substitute for the restaurant’s sommelier. Upon realizing how enjoyable and lucrative being a sommelier was, Eddie eventually decided to go to France where he earned his degree in Professional Tasting (D.U.A.D-Diplôme Universitaire D’Aptitude A la Dégustation Des Vins) at the University of Bordeaux.

While living in France he worked as the head Sommelier at the Hôtel de la Poste, Beaune France. Eventually he went to London where he became the first American to pass the Master Sommelier Diploma in London in 1973.

Realizing that to be successful in the food and beverage industry he needed to live where his expertise was in demand, and, ready for more adventure, Eddie moved to New York City in 1982. While living and working in New York, Eddie served as the director of trade education for the International Wine Center. He traveled to 25 cities a year teaching client retention strategies on behalf of organizations such as the National Restaurant Association, the Italian Trade Center, and American Express.

After living in New York City for five years, Eddie decided to move to San Diego, California, and pursue speaking events where he can contribute his unique expertise of food and wine combined with sales psychology to create memorable events for clients and others. He has coached leaders from Citibank, General Mills, IBM and Proctor & Gamble on how to create memorable client dinners and experiences. He also taught during multiple corporate entertaining events at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Eddie resides in San Diego, California with his wife. He enjoys creating unique and lively evenings of entertainment for friends and family, and enjoys spending time with his daughter. He speaks at corporate events around the country, showing his audience how fine wine and food can be enjoyed without pretension and how to create a dining experience that will help you acquire clients. He is the author of the book Power Entertaining: Secrets to Building Lasting Relationships, Hosting Unforgettable Events, and Closing Big Deals from America’s 1st Master Sommelier. He continues to maintain his instrument pilot rating.