aboutpat

About Pat...

A Little About Me...

My introduction to wine started at a very young age - 3 years old. You see, my grandfather had a hobby of making wine and, as the oldest grandchild, I would help him make his "pop". As a high school student, like most of us I'm sure, we had a hard time figuring out what we were going to do after we graduated. My list included teacher, interior designer and then, finally, something in the hospitality industry. Well, I've been finished college and university for almost six years now and, although some of my jobs have not been hospitality related, I'm back and I'm loving it. As one of my favourite TV shows on the Food Network Canada says "I plan parties for a living."

The College Years...

You know the saying "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen"? Well, when I was deciding which program to apply to for college, I took that saying to heart. I've never really liked extreme heat so instead of taking Culinary Management, I decided on Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Administration instead. My first step was to go to Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario. After graduating from Canadore with my Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Administration diploma, I went on to New Hamsphire College (now renamed to Southern New Hampshire University) in Manchester, NH. While in the United States, I received my Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Adminstration. Both of these programs were great learning experiences and between the two of them, I had the opportunity to:

Serve at a luncheon for HRM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Run a business with my classmates

Have a wide variety of internships including one with Marriott International.

When I decided to become a Wedding Consultant, it made sense to me that I should take a course. Since very few colleges actually had such a course, I looked to correspondence schools to get my training. There were many out there but, in the end, I decided on Thompson Education Direct (now called ICS Canada) because their course material came directly from the Association of Bridal Consultants, which is the largest US based association in this field.

Connections...

In the few short years I was able to help my Granddad make his "pop", he did have the time to start teaching me about wines from Canada, Australia and even some of Europe. It was that foundation that re-emerged in my college years and has taken me on to being on the executive of the Ontario Wine Society. My list of responsibilities includes Recording Secretary, Event Coordinator and Cellar Manager in charge of our vast inventory stored at the Fine Wine Reserve in downtown Toronto. Working with the wine industry is so exciting and I have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting many of Canada's wine writers as well as a large number of Ontario's winemakers and winery owners.

What Can I Do For You?...

Combining the knowledge I have gained through these relationships with planning weddings and other fabulous events has become a major passion in my life. Every wedding planner in business has a different strength in their background. Some are flowers, some are the wedding attire and some are hospitality backgrounds which translates to the catering and reception venues. In my case, it is the hospitality background as well as the added bonus of the wine industry. Due to my background, I have a unique perspective and knowledge on common practices when dealing with caterers, banquet halls and hotels that my clients find invaluable. After all, wouldn't you prefer to get answers and explanations from someone who is impartial and isn't just trying to make a sale?

Final Thought...

As you look through my website, check out the pictures of weddings I have helped organize, my favourite dresses and some of Ontario's best wineries. There's also a section called "Thoughts on Wine" where I shoot holes in some popular wine myths. Wine does need to be as complex or complicated as it is often made out to be. It can be extremely approachable and very enjoyable.