People & Paws > Interviews > Alpana Singh
 
Alpana Singh
Host of Check Please on Channel 11
September 2006
Alpana Singh Name: Alpana Singh, 29
Name of Business or Organization: Host of 'Check Please' on Channel 11 and Director of Wine and Spirits for Lettuce Entertain You

Rogers Park is lucky to have Alpana Singh and her husband the writer, Charles Blackstone as neighbors. Alpana is one of the youngest wine experts in the world and the Host of "Check Please", on Channel 11, Wine critic Robert M. Parker Jr. praised Alpana in his publication the Wine Advocate as "one of the finest young sommeliers in America today." She has also been featured in numerous publications including Newsweek, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times and the New York Times, and past accolades include Best Sommelier in America by Wine and Spirits Magazine, Crain's 40 under 40, Food and Wine Magazines 35 Under 35, Best Sommelier Chicago Magazine 2004, and a 2002 James Beard Foundation Nomination for Wine Service.

Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Monterey California. My family is from Fiji.

What are you passionate about and how are you fulfilling your passion?
I am passionate about what I do. I have worked for Lettuce Entertain You for six years. I was the sommelier at Everest for 5 years and last year I took on the position of Director of Wine and Spirits. I enjoy educating people and making the whole experience of enjoying wine and spirits less intimidating. I have also enjoyed being the host of Check Please on Channel 11.

Which five people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?
Gandhi, Bill Clinton, Mark Twain, Larry David and Charles Blackstone (my husband)

If you had one month to live, how would you spend that month?
I'd travel all over India.

What is something that you have learned about life?
I have learned you can't make everybody happy. The most important thing is to work on making yourself happy. Also it is important to figure out what your priorities are and live by them.

What do you like to stay home to do?
Cook and eat. I like to cook Asian food. But my comfort food is Indian, anything curry.

What place in Rogers Park, past or present, has special meaning to you?
The lakefront got us to move here and the Jarvis L Stop is special to me.

What two establishments in Rogers Park besides your own do you tell your friends about?
I have lived in Rogers Park for four months now. I tell my friends about that costume shop Lost Eras on Howard and The Rogers Park Fruit Market on Clark.

 
 

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