KIMBER GATES - COEUR D'ALENE CELLARS
Kimber Gates learned the wine business in the Burgundy and Rhone Valley regions of France and in Walla Walla while she was getting her undergraduate and graduate degrees.After graduating from Whitman College in 1996, and with an MBA from W.S.U., she worked as a CPA before launching her own winery business at Coeur d’Alene Cellars. Kimber works as the General Manager and oversees all winery operations, as well as doing the accounting and financial planning.
JEANNA HOFMEISTER - SPOKANE REGIONAL CVB
Jeanna Hofmeister, CDME, CTA, is Vice President and director of destination marketing for the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau where she is responsible for the advertising and marketing of the Spokane Region to leisure, group and convention travelers. Prior to joining the Spokane Regional CVB in October 2000, Hofmeister was general manager of a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant in Spokane. She previously served as Director of Membership Development for the Spokane Regional CVB, Director of Creative Services and Sales Marketing for the NBC affiliate, KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon, Director of Public Affairs for the Independent television station, KPDX-TV in Portland, Oregon, and Director of Marketing and Community Relations for the ABC affiliate, KIVI-TV in Boise, Idaho.
Hofmeister also oversees the Spokane Film Office as the official liaison to the Washington State Film office, actively marketing Washington FilmWorks, the state’s incentive program, and our picturesque region to producers, location managers and film professionals. An Emmy award winning writer, Hofmeister has worked as a communications and marketing consultant to governmental organizations and private businesses around the world.
She studied communications at the University of Washington and the University of Idaho and recently completed a two year course of study through Purdue University earning her certification as a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME). Jeanna serves on the City of Spokane Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the board of the Spokane River Forum.
In her free time, Hofmeister is an avid cyclist, kayaker and outdoor enthusiast.
CHEF PETER TOBIN - INLAND NORTHWEST CULINARY ACADEMY
Chef Peter Tobin grew up in Salem, MA and has worked in the restaurant industry since he was fourteen. After attending the Culinary Institute of America and graduating in October of 1980, his culinary experiences has taken him throughout the USA: Waterville Valley, New Hampshire; Taos, New Mexico; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sun Valley, Idaho and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He has been married twenty five years to Elaine, an elementary school teacher. They have one son, Brett, who is a sophomore at University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.Chef Tobin became an educator in 1989 at a community college in Spokane, Washington - The Inland Northwest Culinary Academy (INCA). He has always loved the food industry. It has a passion and a heart beat like no other industry. Chef Tobin is proud to be among the many chefs who educate.
KEVIN FINCH - CULINARY MEDIA
Kevin Finch is an Inland Northwest food writer and restaurant critic based in Spokane. Kevin also serves as the director of a non-profit called Big Table that works with the restaurant and hospitality industry to create community around shared meals and offer practical support for those in the industry in crisis. His reviews and articles have been published in the Spokesman Review, The Inlander, Northwest Palate, and Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living as well as online at Traveling Feast.
He grew up deep in the Montana Rockies – eating more than writing at first. He lists among his accomplishments a stand-off with a grizzly over a particularly choice huckleberry patch. Extensive therapy has not yet uncovered the reason for his enthusiasm for raw fish, maple bars, and Chinese dumplings. Writing is most likely a sophisticated coping mechanism.
Kevin serves on the boards of the Spokane Public Market, Community-Minded Enterprises, and DOXA (an international non-profit that builds homes in Mexico).
CHEF DAVID BLAINE - LATAH BISTRO
David Blaine started cooking in Spokane two decades ago. After stints in Seattle and Eugene he returned to the area in 1998.Since this time he has been part of a growing community of forward thinking chefs and farmers who have formed a relationship that showcases the world class ingredients that the region produces with a cooking style that reflects the authentic casual personality of the area.
JOSH WADE - NECTAR TASTING ROOM
Josh Wade is the owner of Nectar Tasting Room at 120 N. Stevens in Spokane. Nectar grew from the roots of Social Media conversation to a wine tasting room featuring five wineries from across Washington State.Josh also writes for and manages NectarWineBlog.com, one of the most viewed wine blogs in the Northwest and in the top 25 in the country and is the publisher of Spokane’s first regionally focused wine publication, Spokane Wine Magazine.
CHEF JEREMY HANSEN - SANTE SPOKANE RESTAURANT & CHARCUTERIE
According to Chef Jeremy Hansen's mother Diane, he developed a passion for cooking at age 3 upon serving her a breakfast in bed of scrambled eggs, shells included. He began to work in kitchens at age 15, and earned the kitchen manager position at the downtown Mustard Seed at the age of 17, holding the title for almost a decade.It wasn't until working with Chef Jason Rex at Fugazzi that he decided to pursue a chef career, and moved with his soon-to-be-wife Kate Hansen to Portland, Oregon, to attend Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute while she pursued an education at PSU. While in school, he worked at numerous fine-dining restaurants, including Blue Hour, 23 Hoyt, and Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. During this time he volunteered his time in other restaurants as a second education to learn new techniques and how other chefs ran their kitchens.
During his education his understanding for localism and sustainability really began to influence his cuisine. After graduating with honors, Jeremy moved to New York to work under a two Michelin star Chef Gray Kunz at Café Gray in the Time Warner building, and gained extensive experience executing high-end dinners, up to 21 courses.
After culinary adventures on both sides of the country he decided to fulfill his career by going full circle, and moved back to Spokane to share what he learned with the city in which he was raised. Jeremy and His wife Kate decided that it was time to start looking for a location for their first restaurant venture. With downtown being the best option to help with the sustainable and localism movement, Kate & Jeremy searched many locations before ending up at the historic Liberty building, which they thought was the center of both east & west sides of the city. With localism, community, and artisan food in mind, Jeremy began to develop his recipes for his main passion of charcuterie. At Santé Restaurant & Charcuterie, he continues to oversee all restaurant operations, rotating menus often, and striving to evolve his style of cuisine.
CHASE SANBORN - WALLACE BREWING COMPANY
Chase Sanborn is owner and head brewer for the Wallace Brewing Company in Wallace, Idaho. Chase has enjoyed brewing his own recipes and sampling the fine creations of other local brewers. Wallace has a rich history of brewing beer (among other things) and Chase is continuing that tradition.
Beer is a living thing, much like food, the flavors are endless. Chase encourages everyone to try new beers.
KATHERINE COPPOCK - COEUR D'ALENE CVB
Katherine Coppock is the Coeur d’Alene Convention & Visitor Bureau Manager at the Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce. At the CVB, Katherine is responsible for the marketing and promotion of Coeur d’Alene to potential visitors.Prior to becoming the CVB Manager, Katherine studied at Washington State University and graduated with a major in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and minored in Business Marketing. While attending college, Katherine interned with the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Associationand immediately fell in love with Coeur d’Alene and the people there.
Katherine enjoys experiencing all of Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area, which makes it very easy for her to promote the region as a destination that everyone should visit!
CHRIS MUELLER - BISTRO ON SPRUCE
Chris Mueller is well known in the restaurant industry here in the Inland Northwest and has worked just about every job the industry has to offer during the past 30 years: meat-cutter, bartender, server, line-cook, sous chef, assistant manager, wine steward, general manager, the list could go on.Now, as owner of the Bistro on Spruce, he brings together his talents to present a restaurant that has all the elements of warm and welcoming service, great food, wine and beer, with an ambiance that adds the perfect touch.
After graduating from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Business Administration, Chris worked at Patsy Clark’s Mansion in Spokane and ‘sister’ restaurants in Olympia and Portland for 14 years, then Spokane’s Luna for eight years, and was the manager at Beverly’s at the Coeur d’Alene Resort for three years.
Ever exposed to food and wine at the regions finest restaurants, Chris has also taken and passed The Master Court of Sommeliers level one program.
It has always been Chris’ goal to open his own restaurant. With his strong leadership and business skills he applied to the past restaurants he has managed, he is now applying that experience to his own vision—at Bistro on Spruce. It’s fun neighborhood dining with great fare at a reasonable price and the natives are welcoming them with open arms.
Being a native of the Inland Northwest, Chris is committed to providing a fun atmosphere where an exciting menu and a great wine and beer list will entwine to bring people together. His enthusiasm and experience in fine dining, knowledge of wine and insight in staff development benefit both the staff and guests alike. It has quickly become one of Coeur d’Alene’s new generation local favorites!
JULIE RAFTIS-LITZENBERGER - INLAND NORTHWEST CULINARY ACADEMY
Julie Raftis-Litzenberger is a Spokane native and a graduate of Gonzaga Prep and Washington State University. Julie has spent 30 years in the restaurant and catering industry here in Spokane and in the deep South. She has owned and operated two companies and has been teaching Culinary Arts at Spokane Community College for the past 8 years.Past President and 17-year board member of the Spokane Chapter of the Washington Restaurant Association, with involvement in many committees and board assignments with ProStart, the (former) Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council, Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, Spokane Regional Health Department, Women & Children’s Free Restaurant, The Heart Institute, Inland Northwest Catering Association, Feed Spokane and others.
Julie's true "calling" is proud mother to 9 year-old son Brett.
JAMIE MORGAN - CRAFT BEER BLOGGER AND FOOD LOVER
Jamie Morgan is a craft beer, food and classic bicycle-loving wife and mother of three living in Hayden, Idaho.
In the business of helping travel and tourism businesses become destinations using Community Creation and Relationship Marketing via social media and events during the day - her market focus is with local food, beverage (craft beer and wine), dining and hospitality-related businesses. On the path of becoming a Master Cicerone in her spare time, she has completed Step One as a Certified Beer Server and hopes to complete the rest of the program by 2013.
WENDI HAUGHT - FRAMEWORK MEETINGS AND DESTINATIONS
Wendi Haught, CMP, CTA is co-owner of Framework Meetings and Destinations, headquartered in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area. Framework offers site selection, meeting and convention planning services both nationally and internationally. Wendi's passion, however, is the customized destination management company (DMC) elements that Framework provides within the Inland Northwest. "From soup to nuts" is more than an idiom here - she is a firm believer that our region is rich in its culinary tourism attractions for visitors and residents alike!Having worked in the catering, banquets and meetings industries since she was 15, Wendi still loves the fellowship shared over food and beverage when people come together. She and her husband, Matt, both spend more time in the kitchen that anywhere else in the home - although Matt is the real talent in the kitchen, she is the onion-cutter and dishwasher. Her three sons are also food-lovers.
She is involved with tourism and culinary tourism in the Inland Northwest through the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau, North Idaho Tourism Summit - as well as participating nationally with Professional Convention Management Association, Association of Destination Management Executives and Slow Food USA.
