A Chef, Restaurateur, Wine Steward, and Educator with over 35 years of industry experience in both restaurants and retail, Leonard Redé has a unique blend of culinary and wine expertise.
A classically trained chef, he garnered international attention at his award-winning restaurant Sapphire Kitchen and Bar. An award-winning Pastry Chef, his desserts have graced the tables of Presidential State Dinners for Bill Clinton. He was nominated for Educator of the Year when he was a Chef Instructor at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.
As an instructor at the South Seattle College Wine Technology Program – NW Wine Academy, he helped develop the curriculum for the ASS Degree in Sales and Marketing of Food and Wine. This vocational program prepares students for a career involving selling wine to wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and the public. He has led classes in Food and Wine Pairing; Cheese Production and Pairing; Wine History; Wines of the World; Wine Sales and Marketing; Wine Business; Beer, Sake, Cider, Mead, and other Ferments.
As a member of the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Wine & Food he dispensed scholarships to culinary and wine students throughout the state. He has been on panels at Taste Washington, and Walla Walla Wine Alliance, and led wine classes for many organizations. Frequently a judge for many competitions including The Seattle Wine Awards, Sip NW Magazine, Cider Craft Magazine, Cascadia International Wine Competition, and Seattle Magazine Best of the Northwest.
In 2018, he was nominated for Retail Wine Steward of the Year by Seattle Magazine. During his tenure as Operations Manager at Wine World & Spirits secured an award for Independent Retailer of the Year from the Washington Wine Commission Awards.
Currently the Wine Steward for Ballinger Thriftway, he loves to share his passion for all things gastronomic and he’ll gladly help you navigate the world of wine and is always quick with a wine pairing or recipe.
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