The most anticipated event of the year, Green Feast is an unforgettable evening – a community celebration of local food taking place on a September evening on the fields of South Coast Farm. Over the next month, The Ecology Center is pleased to highlight the local food and wine talent that makes this event possible.

Spotlight on Green Feast 2010 Participant: Shannon Latting, Sommelier

A native of Orange County, California, Shannon Latting has recently joined the Montage Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach. Prior to her new position, she spent four years with the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, where she was the lead Sommelier of the ENO tasting room. She discovered her passion for wine while working at the Blue Water Grill in New York City and attending staff wine classes on a weekly basis. Latting is currently a Level II Certified Sommelier and recently came in second place at the local level for the Chaine de Rotisseurs Jeune Sommelier Competition. She is due to sit for the Court of Master Sommeliers Level III Advanced Exam in Aspen, Colorado this October.

With a management background from some of the finest restaurants in New York and California, including the Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award” recipient Tribeca Grill owned by Robert De Niro, Latting has honed her knowledge of wine and customer service to provide guests with the best possible experience. From coordinating a wine tasting with St. Francis Winery and the New York Giants, to pairing wine for a Valentino dinner, Latting not only enhanced her own wine experience, but the experiences of others as well.

At Green Feast, Shannon will be assisting the wine servers with pairings for each of the five courses. The Ecology Center would like to thank Shannon for bringing her expertise to Green Feast 2010!