ALPANA SINGH

Alpana

Born and raised in Monterey, California, Alpana Singh’s path from her family’s South-Asian grocery store to the heights of the culinary world is a testament to what she calls her "immigrant work ethic." While her parents hoped she would become a doctor, Alpana found a way to bridge her love for science and biology with her passion for food and travel through the world of wine. Her rise in the industry was nothing short of meteoric. After starting in restaurants at age 12 and entering the wine trade at 19, she became the sommelier at Chicago’s world-renowned Everest at just 23. At 26, Alpana made history as the youngest woman and the only South Asian to ever pass the final Master Sommelier exam—a feat achieved by only 262 professionals worldwide. Beyond the cellar, Alpana became a household name in Chicago as the long-time host of the Emmy Award-winning PBS show Check, Please! Her expertise eventually led her into restaurant ownership, where she has launched four successful concepts. Her latest venture, Alpana, located in Chicago’s Gold Coast, marks her evolution from Master Sommelier to Chef. Alpana is also a dedicated civic leader and speaker. She served eight years on the board of Choose Chicago, including three as Treasurer, and played a pivotal role in bringing the James Beard Awards to the city. You may have also seen her on the Today Show, Iron Chef and The Bear. Today, she shares her journey of grit and determination with audiences nationwide, inspiring others to visualize and achieve their own dreams. She resides in Chicago with her rescue dog Darla Bear and her shelter cat Ziegfried Furley.