On Monday, the organizers of TexSom, the annual Texas sommelier conference, announced the winner of the "Best Sommelier in Texas" competition, Ryan Tedder of the yet-to-open FT33 Restaurant in Dallas.
David Keck of Uchi took second place in the annual event, now in its eighth year.
The competition's rigorous testing includes written and oral examinations as well as a grueling blind tasting and service test in which the event's proctors act as "diners" seated in a restaurant.
Both Tedder and Keck received scholarships to be applied to their quest to join the elite club of wine professionals who form the Court of Master Sommeliers, an international body that sets the standard for fine wine service.
Spanning three days every summer and attracting wine professionals from across the U.S., TexSom remains the premier sommelier conference in the nation (click here for previous posts on the event).
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