Leslie Lamont
The Publican | Chicago
June 2018
Leslie Lamont began working in restaurants and bars to help pay her way through school at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she earned a degree in communications and indulged in the finest of box wines. Straight out of college, she made a hard turn south to Palm Beach and The Breakers Resort, where she worked with three master sommeliers. Mandatory wine classes sparked her interest, and her mentors encouraged her to go for her Sommelier Certification, which she passed in 2009.
After interning during the fall harvest at Petrolo Winery in Tuscany, Italy, Lamont moved to Chicago and became a wine steward at Rising Stars alum Chris Pandel’s Balena. Still within the realm of Italian dining, she moved onto to work as a floor as sommelier and manager at Formento’s and spent formative time there with mentor Steve Morgan.
Lamont hopped across Randolph Street to undertake her first beverage program and a whole new cuisine at Rick Bayless’ Leña Brava. Working with legendary Frontera and Topolobampo Wine Director Jill Gubesch program, she brought wines of Baja to the table, along with killer pairing instincts. Lamont recently departed Leña Brava for a post at Paul Kahan’s The Publican, where she’ll no doubt create an essential wine experience at one of Chicago’s landmark restaurants.
