As I entered Martha Scutt's office it all became clear.

She said to me "Well Eddie, based on your SAT's and outstanding party reputation up on the hill, we're thinking WINE is where you should focus"…she even suggested leaving the country. So I did just that. I immediately moved to France and attended the Univ. of Poitiers so that I could speak French. After that, I earned a degree (D.U.A.D. Diplôme universitaire d'aptitude á la dégustation des vins.) from the Université de Bordeaux. I worked as a professional wine taster in St Julien and then journeyed to London to attempt the Master Sommelier Exam. This I passed becoming the 1st American Master Sommelier (there are now 75 in the US).

I returned to the U.S. and moved to Honolulu; stayed 12 years, married a beautiful black lady and had an equally beautiful daughter (Elissa). Today I reside in La Jolla , California, the beautiful black lady lives in Tennessee and Elissa is attending Cornell Hotel School where she will graduate with a B.S. in Hotel Administration with a culinary degree from the CIA (Culinary Institute of America)….the apple didn't fall too far from the tree!

I currently am a consultant to the wine industry and a public speaker, giving my keynote presentation "Power Entertaining with Food & Wine" to CEO's all over the country. (www.eddieosterland.com)

Thank you Martha, I owe it all to you

Elmo