CELEBRATED HOSTS

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• Michael Klauber

  Restaurateur And Wine Expert

  Michael is a seasoned, award-winning restaurateur and wine professional with over 30 years experience in all aspects the restaurant and retail wine & spirits industry. He is an avid world traveler and has hosted numerous in-depth culinary journeys with Florida’s Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club, escorting travelers to South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Southeast Asia, the Baltic, Russia, France, Spain and Napa Valley.

  Michael is co-owner of Michael’s On East, Sarasota’s most renowned fine dining establishment, which was recently inducted into The Fine Dining Hall of Fame by Nation's Restaurant News.  The prestigious honor is bestowed upon just ten restaurants in America each year. Michael's has been recognized as one of Florida's Magazine’s Top 20 Restaurants for 18 consecutive years and has received the award of excellence for the Wine Spectator for over 20 years.

  He is also co-owner of Michael’s Wine Cellar and WineFlorida.com, one of Florida’s most respected wine and spirits retailers. He has been a professional wine judge for over 25 years, participating in extensive tastings around the world. He was also co-founder of regional chapters of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, Chevaliers du Tastevin and the Commanderie de Bordeaux.

  Michael is President and Co-Founder of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a dedicated group of more than fifty independently owned restaurants with a passion to preserve the culinary heritage and fresh, local flavors indigenous to the Sun Coast of Florida.

  Michael is currently networking with his extensive contacts in France to develop an exquisite program, touring the vineyards of Champagne and the Loire Valley and Bordeaux.