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Corporate Director of Education
United Distributors, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia Michael A. Venezia is a 27 year veteran of the beverage alcohol industry, predominantly specializing in the fine wine segment. He is nationally known as an educator focusing his expertise to industry professionals, interested consumers, and media outlets featuring editorial comments in the culinary field.
Called upon frequently to host wine dinners in Atlanta’s finest restaurants, private clubs, resorts and other venues specializing in food and wine related activities. Venezia has cultivated a following of wine enthusiasts who regard him as an expert on wine, as well as food. His career path has taken him from early experiences in food and wine originating in his family’s restaurant business in Brooklyn, New York in the 1960s to appearing as a featured wine expert on CNN. Venezia has made a career out of his passion for wine and food. As Corporate Director of Education for United Distributors, Inc., one of America’s largest distributors of beverage alcohol products, Venezia trains the sales and marketing staff, presents seminars to restaurant service personnel, and conducts tasting tutorials to professional and consumer groups. His success in these endeavors has broadened his reach into the corporate arena. Many companies look to him for guidance in selecting wines for important dinners, he trains executives and sales associates who entertain clients on proper wine selection strategies in restaurants, and provides ongoing wine education for company executives and clients. In addition, he evaluates wine products which are under consideration by United Distributors, Inc., for portfolio expansion and market introduction. Venezia is active in several food and wine organizations. He has served as the director of public relations for L’Ordre de Canardiers and is a member of L’Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Degustateurs de la Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. A former co-chair of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) Atlanta Chapter, he has also served on the AIWF Advisory Board. He is a member of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE).
Venezia earned an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in Corporate Communications from Fairfield University in Connecticut. He began his career teaching journalism and creative writing in the Branford, Connecticut public schools. In 1980 he worked at Chateau Monbousquet, Grand Cru in St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France. Upon returning to New York, he accepted a position with Kobrand Corporation, the national marketing agency for such prestigious brands as Maison Louis Jadot and Taittinger Champagne. During this time, he was promoted and transferred to Atlanta, where he later joined United Distributors, Inc., in 1988. Venezia has completed course work at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
When not educating consumers, traveling to vineyards and winery destinations, he enjoys fine cuisine, reading and listening to music.
Career Highlights
Education
Earned bachelors degree in English in 1972 and master’s degree in Corporate Communication in 1974 from Fairfield University in Connecticut. Later studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Professional
High School language Arts Teacher 1972 – 1979.
Chateau Monbousquet Grand Cru St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France, 1980. Sales and Marketing Manager, Kobrand Corporation, New York, New York 1981 - 1988 United Distributors, Inc., in Atlanta, Ga., in 1988 to present. Director of Public Relations L’Ordre de Canardiers, 1989-1994. L’Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Degustateurs de la Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. 1989 to present Former co-chair of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Food and Wine (AIWF) Chapter. Served on the AIWF Advisory Board. 1994 – 1998. Featured as an Atlanta “Mover and Shaker” in Jezebel Magazine, May 2001
Regular featured wine correspondent for Flavors Magazine 2003 to present.
Featured Cobb Life Magazine “Person to Know”, October 2007 Guest Sommelier, James Beard House, New York, New York
1848 House, Marietta, Georgia – July 28th, 1999
South City Kitchen, Atlanta, Georgia – August 23rd, 2000 Published in Travelocity “Wines in the Sky” Frequent Presenter to National Association of Catering Executives Educational Conferences. Radio
Featured Wine Commentator on W.G.S.T. Talk Radio 640AM “Atlanta Cooks”, 2002 T.V.
Guest Expert opinion on Wine – CNN Headline News – Atlanta, Georgia.
Featured Wine Authority on “Meet the Products” Fox 5 News – Atlanta, Georgia. Spring Semester
Principal Guest Lecturer 2003-2008
Cecil B. Day College of Hospitality Administration
J. Mack Robinson School of Business
Georgia State University
Civic/Volunteer
Member of the Board of Directors, High Museum of Art Atlanta Wine Auction Committee.
Member of Chefs Advisory Committee for Meals on Wheels-Atlanta. Starlight Children’s Foundation patron.
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