DETAILS: Sur Lie in collaboration with Cha Squared Experiences would like to take you on a food journey through some of the cultures that make up the Maine community...through food and wine!
This wine dinner will honor the past while celebrating the present communities of Maine, presented by visiting Sommelier Cha McCoy. Cha’s work has been celebrated for making wine more accessible, dismantling what she calls palate discrimination in food & beverage, through her initiatives including but not limited to her signature wine dinner series ‘The Communion’ which she has hosted in 5 countries over 3 years.
Sur Lie Executive Shef, Mimi Weissenborn, is taking you on a journey through the foodways of Maine with an emphasis on dishes that celebrate the beautiful cultures that make up our community. Be prepared to explore wine through the cultures that influence Maine paired with dishes that highlight their rich contributions to our community.
COST: $150, plus tax and gratuity
TIME: 5 PM wine reception / 6 PM wine dinner
Reserve: Click here to purchase tickets
LINKS: Sur Lie, Cha Squared Experiences
Executive Shef Mimi Weissenborn: Pulling inspiration from the cyclical aspects of nature and seasons brings Mimi back to key moments in time, which allows her to transform her dishes into embodiments of her childhood. Her plating, a nod to nature and flavor profiles, invites you to walk alongside her journey...from Maryland to Maine with a stop in the Big Apple along the way. A native Maryland crab, Shef studied at L’Academie de Cuisine and promptly decided to pursue a culinary career in New York City as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Working her way up the line she finally chose to settle with Vinateria, the beloved Spanish and Italian influenced Harlem eatery, as their Creative Director and later on Executive Chef. There she received a Michelin recommendation, participated in multiple chef collaborations such as New York City Food & Wine Festival, Harlem Eat Up and a gamut of James Beard Foundation dinners headlining and selling out one of her very own; most recently collaborating on an International Women’s Day Dinner. Energized by her new found sense of community she was inspired to honor her own by hosting a female collaboration dinner series highlighting a local cast of Harlem hitters!
During the end of her time with Vinateria, Shef found herself in Maine and in love, not only with its pines (her born obsession) but also with its slogan...fitting right in despite being raised below the Mason Dixon. Her goal is to serve and be part of an inclusive community. An avid life learner, Shef hopes to incorporate an emphasis on immersive educational experiences both in and out of the kitchen in hopes of harnessing the love and energy from farmer to team and from team to community.
Cha McCoy is a certified sommelier, public speaker, founder and business owner of Cha Squared Experiences, a beverage consulting company focused on events, tourism, and education. She has been recognized by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine as “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers” and Wine & Spirits Magazine “Rising Black Voices in Wine”.
McCoy’s list of clients includes James Beard Foundation, Facebook, NBC. With roles as Beverage Director for Charleston Wine + Food Festival and Cherry Bombe Magazine’s first Beverage Director & Editor. Her work has been celebrated for making wine more accessible, through initiatives like the signature wine dinner series, The Communion. And educating new wine drinkers as an adjunct professor teaching wine history and appreciation at Syracuse University, her alma mater.
Cha McCoy
She Mimi
