Cost: $65; Students will receive a comprehensive class guide for every session, as well as a 15% discount to purchase any wine they have tasted in the Wine School, valid for one month after the class. Register Here

Karen King
Wine Director, Sommelier, Union Square Café
Karen Ann King began her career in the restaurant business while attending college in Nashville, Tennessee. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Peabody College (an institution within Vanderbilt University), she taught at an elementary school in Boston, Massachusetts, while simultaneously moonlighting as a waitress at night.

Karen later moved to New York City to pursue acting, but after a year, she decided acting was not a fulfilling career for her. Karen still loved New York City, however, so she stayed. Union Square Café opened in 1985, and Karen has been a dedicated member of the team since its inception. She began her career with Union Square Café as a server, transitioned to bartender and then moved on to bar manager. In 1995, Karen became Wine Director, responsible for developing and maintaining Union Square Café’s award-winning list.

The James Beard Foundation honored Union Square Café as the Perrier Outstanding Restaurant in 1997. In that same year, Union Square Cafe was also promoted to New York City’s favorite restaurant in Zagat’s Survey and retained that title for six consecutive years (1997-2002). An important ingredient of the restaurant’s success is its wine program.A reason for its success is Karen’s advocacy of wine education for the staff. She holds wine tastings every three weeks.

Karen has taught wine classes at NYU, the French Culinary Institute, and the American Sommelier Association. She has participated in tasting panels for Business Traveler, Wine and Spirits, The Dallas Morning News as well as the Aspen Food and Wine Classic.

In 1998, Union Square Café was one of five restaurants in the Untied States nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Wine Service. In 1999, Union Square Café won the Hudson Valley Foie Gras Outstanding Wine Service Award from the James Beard Foundation. In 2001, Wine Spectator awarded Union Square Café’s wine list its "Best Award of Excellence".