America's Best "Young Sommelier"

Seattle, specifically Belltown, is now the country's official epicenter of restaurant wine service. As if we needed another reminder.

Campagne's wine steward, Jake Kosseff, took first place in the Chaine des Rotisseurs “Jeune Sommelier” competition, held over the weekend at the Sonoma Mission Inn. (The day before he left town, he was running a delightful tasting of French rosés in the cozy courtyard of the Inn at the Market.) A 16-year veteran of the restaurant biz, Jake also used to be the wine & spirits director at Cascadia.

"Tough group," Jake reported from California. A dozen "ridiculously qualified" competitors evaluated by a team of six judges led by Master Sommelier Fred Dame. Key to victory: his knowledge of spirits and beers. And preparation. "I worked really hard."

Parenthetically, Seattle's been a great source of culinary talent for the Chaine. Couple of years back, the Rainier Club's sous-chef Scott Megargle won the Chaine's national “Jeune Commis” competition and finished second in the world championship.

And let's not forget that Lindsey Norton of 94 Stewart, right across the street from Campagne, was recognized last week for one of the country's top ten wine lists. And Le Pichet, around the corner, has the most comprehensive list of French country wines in town.

Campagne, 86 Pine St., 206-728-2800