JIM FOX – PATINE CELLARS
Friends’ enjoying the moments and experiences of tasting fine wine is how our story began. Individual experiences combining a collective goal to produce world class wines that are defined by power and grace.
PATINÉ (pa-tee-nay) means to have skated in French; an act that requires both power and grace. Jim’s career as a professional hockey player was defined by the game that requires strength, endurance, structure, balance, elegance and skill. It is not a surprise that these are the very same qualities that we strive to achieve in the production of our Single Vineyard Designate Pinot Noir. We are committed to sourcing fruit from vineyards that are meticulously farmed in an effort to produce handcrafted world class wines. We are not only thrilled but also humbled to have our friend and winemaker Mike Smith at the helm of our endeavor.
ABOUT JIM:
As a professional athlete, everything is about wins and losses, and even though this intense competition is extremely rewarding, I realized after retiring from the NHL that wine brought me something that was very different, but just as fulfilling. A games’ final score can be so “black and white,” and while wine is scored and rated, it is the many various intangible rewards that I have grown to love. Wine is about the art, the process and the creation, as much as it is about the results. It brings the day-to-day challenge of striving for the best but also offers the artistic element of working alongside Mother Nature. Wine’s intrigue is so encompassing that I literally can’t wait for the next chance to create something special with critically acclaimed winemaker Mike Smith -- and taste that next glass of Patiné!
Jim has been with the Los Angeles Kings organization since 1980. After a successful 10 year playing career with the Los Angeles Kings, Jim reached as high as 5th on the Kings all-time points list and currently sits 9th. In 1990, he continued off-ice as the team’s director of community relations and, subsequently, as an Emmy Award-winning TV analyst.
Jim and wife Susie discovered their love of wine enjoying special moments with family and friends. These experiences inspired Jim to become a diligent student of wine, including frequent trips to the world’s top wine regions of Europe and California.
As co-founder of Patiné Cellars, Jim actively manages daily business operations including the direction of sales, marketing and production.
WWW.PATINECELLARS.COM
JAMES MCKENNON – COO, SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS
SRC Event Group is the newest division of Specialty Restaurants Corporation. Specialty Restaurants Corporation was founded in 1958 by a legend in the restaurant industry, David Tallichet. Mr. Tallichet founded the concept of themed restaurants in the United States and has set the precedent for all competitors to date. He had a strict vision when building his restaurants. Each one is located either on top of a hill, on the waterfront or situated adjacent to an airport with a patio, bar, dining room and large event spaces accommodating from 50 to 5,000 guests. Specialty Restaurants Corporation has over 50 years of experience in hospitality and a rich history in destination restaurants. SRC is poised to service the special event arena nationwide and implements over 8,000 events each year. SRC has pioneered many service and concept standards throughout the industry today and is recognized for delivering a ‘food with a view’ concept with each of it 22 restaurant locations. In 2010, SRC appointed Connie Armijo as VP of special events. Ms. Armijo brings with her 25 years of experience in event planning. Her successful companies, great presentations and park plaza events have earned her a reputation as one of the biggest event planning names in Los Angeles receiving national recognition for her corporate events, celebrity driven special events and fundraising galas for non-profit organizations. With Ms. Armijo’s fearless leadership, SRC’s Event Group offers guests a full range of quality services including event production, custom catering, location design, concept creation and décor, logistics coordination, entertainment, professional staffing and of course, exquisite food preparation. SRC Event Group offers complete on and offsite event production, coordination and design services for corporate and special events. SRC Event Group creates and implements high quality, value added events that capture the attention, emotions and imagination of an audience like no one else can. From product launches to private events, SRC Event Group delivers successful event management solutions. They are known for their unique approach to each event paying close attention to the details that make events memorable. SRC Event Group understands the importance of producing events that communicate a client’s mission with innovation and style.
WWW.SPECIALTYRESTAURANTS.COM
