Jamie Drummond

Jamie Drummond (born November 7 1971 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a Canadian sommelier who oversees the wine program for Canadian chef Jamie Kennedy's string of Toronto restaurants.

Career

Drummond is a former pupil of George Watson's College, Edinburgh.

After a fledgling career as a music journalist Drummond began working in the position of Sommelier for UK Chef Andrew Radford's Michelin Guide recognised Atrium restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1997 Drummond emigrated to Canada and began working as Sommelier at Toronto's Granite Club. In 2004 he was hired by Jamie Kennedy (chef) and has been in control of the selection and purchasing of wines for Kennedy's successful restaurants ever since.

Over his years with Jamie Kennedy (chef) Drummond's role has expanded to include a bi-weekly wine podcast, writing for a number of publications on a wild variety of topics, public education sessions, an irreverent wine blog, and personal endorsement.

Drummond now writes a regular column for Toronto food magazine City Bites entitled "Confessions of a Sommelier".

Trivia

• As well known for his gregarious personality and sense of humour as he is respected for his palate, Drummond is a favourite interview subject for both Canadian and international publications.
• Most people are unaware that Jamie Drummond occasionally DJ's around Toronto's "after hours" scene as DJ Non Doctor.
• Jamie Drummond has been recently recording a series of wine-based podcasts with some high profile guests from the world of wine, music and the arts. These are now available through itunes, the Jamie Kennedy website, and Drummond's own website/blog. Guests have included Winemaker Peter Gago of Penfolds, acclaimed Wine Writer Hugh Johnson, Winemaker Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon, Singer/Songwriter Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies, Paul Draper, actor Sam Neill, and Chef Brad Long.
• According to Toronto Life subsidiary, Fashion Magazine, Drummond has a fascination (bordering upon obsession) with Montreal's Phillipe Dubuc and the UK's Vivienne Westwood.
• The original theme music for Drummond's podcasts was composed for the show by The Loving Hand a.k.a. Tim Goldsworthy of New York City recording label DFA Records and a close friend of Drummond. Drummond and Tim Goldsworthy met whilst they were both sojourning on a pirate ship in the Caribbean and have remained friends ever since.
• In the Summer of 2006, Drummond (Along with chef Brad Long and Sommelier Anton Potvin ) initiated the first of many restaurant industry "Monday Lunch" gatherings at Toronto's Spoke Club. Over the years these luncheons based around "drinking, dining and discourse... in no particular order" garnered a certain notoriety. Members of this Monday Lunch Club have included chef Marc Thuet, journalist/author Leah Mclaren, journalist/author James Chatto, Jamie Kennedy (chef) , journalist/author Amy Rosen, champion oyster shucker Patrick McMurray, and winemaker Charles Baker.
• Recently rumors have been abound that Drummond is behind, or at the very least involved in, exclusive Toronto cult undergound dining club Charlie's Burgers, dubbed the "anti-restaurant".

External links and references

• Jamie Kennedy Kitchens [4]
• Jamie Drummond Website [5]
• Media Bio [6]
• Chef and Restaurant Database [7]
• Sommelier Service [8]
• Gremolata interview [9]
• Toronto Star Article re: Charlie's Burgers [10]
• Toronto Star Article re: Charlie's Burgers [11]
• Toronto Star Article re: Charlie's Burgers [12]
• Taste TO Article re: Charlie's Burgers [13]
• Taste TO interview [14]
• Financial Post Article [15]
• Toronto Life interview [16]
• National Post Gossip Column [17]
• National Post Article [18]
• Gremolata Feature on Festival de Lumiere [19]
• Forbes Magazine [20]
• Macleans Magazine article [21]
• Austrian Board of Trade [22]
• Now Magazine Report [23]
• Gremolata Feature "Lunch with Martin Picard, Pied de Cochon, Montreal" [24]
• Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine [25]
• Lifestyle Photo Section [26]
• Montreal Gazette Article [27]
• Toronto Life "Best Winelists" [28]
• Peter Franus Wines Website [29]
• Toronto Life review [30]
• Tony Aspler Article [31]
• Macleans Magazine [32]
• Toronto Life By-The-Glass Review [33]
• Television Appearance - Three Takes [34]
• Eye Magazine [35]
• Toronto Star "Six Word Memoirs" [36]
• Thirsty Traveler Newsletter [37]
• City Bites news [38]
• Chowhound [39]
• Coupe Event Space [40]
• Cuisine of Toronto