Stephen Foster Jr.
295 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
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Biography
Stephen Foster, adjunct Faculty member in the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Virginia Tech, grew up in his family’s restaurant business. After obtaining a degree from Virginia Tech he went back into the family business as Manager of Operations and Wine Director. Along the way he developed an appreciation for wine and its interplay with food that can be a magical combination. He currently holds five wine certifications, including a Certified Sommelier designation from the Court of Master Sommeliers. He has seen many sides of the wine industry including both the retail and wholesale arenas. Stephen joined the faculty in the Fall of 2016 and currently teaches Winery Tourism, a class which delves into the world of wine, wine regions, and the economic impact it generates
Education
- Certified Sommelier Level 2, Court of Master Sommeliers, August 2012
- Introductory Sommelier Level 1, Court of Master Sommeliers, September 2010
- Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Society of Wine Educators, May 2007
- Wine Fundamentals Level 2 Certificate, International Sommelier Guild, June 2006
- Wine Fundamentals Level 1 Certificate, International Sommelier Guild, March 2006
- BA in Political Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, May 1994
Relevant Industry
- Adult Beverage Consultant, Kroger Corporation, Roanoke, VA, since June 2019
- Wholesale Wine Distributor Sales Representative, S&B Wines, Roanoke, VA, June 2015-March 2016
- Wholesale Wine Distributor Sales Representative, Andes Importers, Salem, VA, January-June 2015
- Manager of Operations & Wine Director, Stephen’s Restaurant, Roanoke, VA, September 1998-October 2013