Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Big News for Arro's Wine Program - Austin, Texas

A Toast to Friendship
Two Master Sommeliers Partner for Arro Wine Program


There are currently 201 individuals worldwide who have achieved the designation of Master Sommelier. Of this elite group, 133 live in North America. Texas is home to seven of these experts, two of whom reside right here in Austin. And now this duo—Craig Collins and Devon Broglie—are partnering to develop and maintain the wine program at Arro, the upcoming casual French concept from ELM Restaurant Group (24 Diner, Easy Tiger).

At Arro’s helm will be ELM executive chef/partner, Andrew Curren, accompanied by his wife, pastry chef Mary Catherine Curren. The couple has dreamed of working alongside one another since they met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. But Craig’s relationship with Drew goes back even further. The men became friends while enrolled in Texas A&M and roomed together during a semester abroad in Italy—a trip that solidified Craig’s already strong interest in wine and ignited Drew’s passion for cooking (originally he was interested in a career in animal sciences). “A collaboration is something that we have talked and dreamed about for 15 years,” says Craig. “Arro represents the fulfillment of those dreams and our hard work and achievements.”

While Drew’s post-collegiate journey took him on to the CIA, Craig worked for Domaines and Estates, the fine wine division of Glazers, before moving to Austin and managing Prestige Wine Cellars. He currently is Regional Sales Manager at Dalla Terra Winery Direct, as well as a leading educator and featured speaker at wine and food festivals around the country.

When Drew and MC decided to return to Austin, they called Craig from the road to assist them in their housing search. Craig was over at Devon’s home, and the condo next door had just become available. Four days later, the Currens moved in, and great friendships formed between them all.

Duke graduate Devon spent five years in the restaurant industry before following his passion for wine to Spain, where he worked the harvest season for Bodegas Costers del Siurana winery. Upon returning to the States in 2001, he began his career with Whole Foods Market and is currently Executive Coordinator of Purchasing for the Southwest Region. Devon won the Texas’ Best Sommelier Competition in 2006 and is an active member of the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, the Texas Sommelier Association and the annual TEXSOM wine conference.

“Our goal with Arro’s beverage list is to complement and honor what Drew is so adept at in the kitchen: the fresh interpretation of classic tradition,” says Devon. “We’re excited to build a program that is as thrilling for the wine curmudgeon as it is fun and accessible for the wine enthusiast.”

Web: twitter.com/ArroATX, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arro/273683176066197

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