Slideshow

Slideshow: Last Night’s All-Wine-Star Sommelier Smackdown at Spiaggia

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Tona Palomino and Alpana Singh.

A whole case of top Chicago sommeliers gathered last night at Spiaggia to compete in public, remember the late Spiaggia somm Henry Bishop, and raise money for cancer research. With Alpana Singh and Spiaggia’s Jason Carlen hosting, ten of Chicago’s best paired off in biodynamic duos to offer their wine selection for each of Sarah Grueneberg’s five courses, following a theme of Old World vs. New World in their selections; guests then cast a vote for the winner of each round (using red or clear glass beads). Our man Huge Galdones was on the scene; here’s his photographic report.

Welcome to the Sommelier Smackdown. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Chicago sommeliers geeking out on a very large book entitled “Wine Grapes.” Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Dan Pilkey (Waldorf Astoria) reminds guests of the reason for the event— to benefit cancer research and celebrate the late Henry Bishop. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Is it special guest Santo? Good guess, but it’s Tona Palomino (Trenchermen) and co-host Alpana Singh. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Sarah Grueneberg on the line finishing the first course. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
First course: raw Nantucket Bay scallops with celery root puree and citrus. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Co-emcee and Master Somm Alpana Singh. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Sommelier at Spiaggia, co-emcee and organizer Jason Carlen. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Second course: Spiaggia’s signature hand rolled gnocchi with porcini mushrooms, aged pecorino and nepitella. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Somms were encouraged to bring weapons. Jeremy Quinn (Telegraph) brought a pasta maker while Shebnem Ince (The Gage/Henri) packed the heat with a hunting knife. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Jean Tomaro (Gilt Group) versus Aaron Sherman (Girl & The Goat). Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Aaron Sherman (Girl & The Goat) tries to convince the audience that his Gewurtztraminer pairing works better than Jean Tomaro’s Old World St. Aubin. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Third course: Acquerello risotto with Maine lobster, La Quercia guanciale, Cociocavallo Silano DOP and Mieli Thune dandelion honey. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Rachael Lowe tries to talk some sense into Dan Pilkey. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Fourth course: Wood-roasted Axis vension sausage-wrapped loin with chestnuts, duck liver, cranberries and Barolo Chinato. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Jason Wagner (RM Champagne Salon) takes it to next level turning the Smackdown into a roast of the night’s emcees. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Dan Pilkey, Alpana Singh, Chad Ellegood, Aaron Sherman, Jeremy Quinn, Arthur Hon, Chef Meredith Patterson, Chef Chris Marchino, Jean Tomaro, Jason Wagner, Chef Sarah Grueneberg, Jason Carlen, Rachael Lowe, Charles Blackstone, Tona Palomino and Shebnem Ince. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Sarah addresses the crowd post-service. Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
The victors enjoying the Champagne of beers: Dan Pilkey (Waldorf Astoria), Jean Tomaro (Gilt Group), Jeremy Quinn (Telegraph), Arthur Hon (Sepia) and Chad Ellegood (NoMI Kitchen). Photo: Eugene (Huge) Galdones/? 2012 Galdones Photography LLC
Slideshow: Last Night’s All-Wine-Star Sommelier Smackdown at Spiaggia