Meet the chef: Christopher Bates

Christopher Bates, MS, has spent over 15 years in all aspects of the hospitality industry, lending him a well-rounded perspective of all facets. Currently as General Manager & Executive Chef of Hotel Fauchère, Relais & Chateaux he over sees the 16 room hotel and 4 restaurants. Prior to his time at the Hotel Fauchère he spent four years at the Inn at Dos Brisas, Relais & Chateaux where under his direction as General Manager and Sommelier they won numerous honors such as Mobil/Forbes 5 Stars, Relais & Chateaux, Relais Grands Chefs and were named one of the 100 most exciting wine programs in the US from Wine Enthusiast, an award that he won again at the Hotel Fauchère in 2013.

 

In 2012 Christopher was named Best Young Sommelier in the world after winning Best Young Sommelier in America previously in the year. He went on to win TopSomm 2013, Americas most important sommelier competition, before passing his Master Sommelier Exam, making him the 199th person in the world to do so, and the first to ever pass as a working Executive Chef.

 

Additionally Christopher and his wife Isabel run Element Winery, a small winery in the Finger Lakes of New York producing tiny quantities of highly sought after Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Christopher teaches about wine, writes for numerous publications and brews beer as well. Currently they are working on their newest project, Finger Lakes Social Element, a relaxed casual fine dining destination in the Finger Lakes, as well as a new Micro Distillery project. Christopher writes and teaches about food and beverages of all sorts for Sommelier Journal, Winophelia, ICC, American Sommelier Association and others.