Wine Educator & Author Kevin Zraly Named 2011 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

NEW YORK, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The James Beard Foundation announced this week that Kevin Zraly, renowned wine educator, author of the best-selling Windows on the World Complete Wine Course book and former James Beard Award winner has been named the recipient of the 2011 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award.  Each year, this award is bestowed to those whose lifetime body of work has had a positive and long-lasting impact on the way we eat, cook and/or think about food in America.  Zraly will be honored at this year's James Beard Foundation Awards, the nation's most prestigious recognition program honoring professionals in the food and beverage industries, taking place on Monday, May 9, 2011 at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110407/DC79548)    

"The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes passion, inspiration, and a commitment to doing good work that go beyond any individual's contribution," said Susan Ungaro, President of the James Beard Foundation. "Kevin is a perfect example of the core values that underlie the James Beard Foundation in action," she concluded. "One of the country's foremost wine educators, Kevin has been instrumental in launching the careers of some of the country's most esteemed wine professionals working today," Ungaro explained.  "His wit, passion for wine education and ability to make the often-complicated world of wines accessible to others is unequaled."  

"To be recognized as this year's James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award winner is such a tremendous honor," said Kevin Zraly.  "I've had the opportunity to work with, educate and befriend so many talented people over the past four decades, and even had the pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine or two with James Beard himself on several occasions.  To me, this award represents the past, present and future of the wine industry, and I am accepting this honor on behalf of my colleagues and mentors who paved the way and helped get me to where I am today and also toast the next generation of sommeliers, wine writers and educators and wine enthusiasts to come."

Marcus Leaver, President, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. stated, "We are thrilled for Kevin, our longest-standing and most successful author, that he has so deservedly been recognized by his industry in such a way."  

Zraly's bestselling book, Windows on the World Complete Wine Course has sold more than 3 million copies, and is still going strong in its latest incarnation, the 25th Anniversary Edition (August 2010).  Zraly is also the author of Kevin Zraly's American Wine Guide, The Ultimate Wine Companion, and a forthcoming memoir titled A Glass Half Full: A Cellarmasters' Journey Through Wine and Life (publication date October 2011).  

On May 22, Zraly will share his 40-year perspective on the world of wine as the opening speaker at the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.  During his talk, Zraly will be provide thoughts on the world of wine today, which he calls "The Golden Age of Wine;" his immense gratitude and reverence for his experiences at Windows on the World, the iconic restaurant that once stood atop the World Trade Center before the September 11 attacks; his insight for restaurant and hospitality operators' wine programs; and more.

SOURCE Sterling Publishing