Marcel Flori began his professional life as an engineer, moving to the restaurant business when he began working as a Maitre D’Hotel at Dame Tartine in Paris, France. He emigrated to the United States and landed in Chicago where he became Captain of the Waiters at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Marcel soon moved to the Park Hyatt Hotel and became their Sommelier. Chicago could not keep Marcel around though and he moved to Houston, Texas to work at the Four Seasons Hotel Restaurant and Confederate House. Marcel could not stay away from Chicago, becoming the maître D’Sommelier at Le Titi de Paris where he settled in for 14 years. Since 2008 Marcel has taught and extensive wine curriculum, including a Sommelier training program, in Harper College’s Continuing Education department.

Personal Awards and Recognitions:

• 3rd Best Sommelier of America – 1986, Food and Wine from France (Sopexa)
• Best Sommelier of the Midwest – 1986, Food and Wine from France (Sopexa)
• Master Knight in the order of the Knights of the Vine
• Knight in the Association Internationale des Maitres Conseils en Gastronomie Francaise.

Visit our Culinary and Wine program page to learn more.