Location : Orlando, FL, USA

 

John Blazon is the former Wine Sales and Standards Manager for Walt Disney World Resort who's responsibilities included product selection, service and training of 55 Walt Disney World restuarants including theme parks, resorts and new concepts.

Blazon received his master sommelier diploma from the International Court of Master Sommeliers, during a fall 2004 exam in London, England.

In 2003, John's efforts were applauded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), which awarded its “America’s Best Wine Lists Special Innovation” honor to Walt Disney World Resort at the Monterey Wine Festival. In addition, Santé magazine named Blazon its 2003 Wine Professional of the Year.

Blazon graduated cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1982 with a bachelor of science in hotel and restaurant management. After graduation, Blazon took a position in the kitchen to learn the back of the house at the Dunfey Atlanta Hotel as executive steward. He soon realized his passion for wine and table service, and in 1985 became director of food and beverage at the Park Terrace Hotel in Washington D.C. During his three years there he earned a from The Wine Spectator magazine for the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Chardonnay. Best of Award of Excellence.

Blazon moved to Williamsburg, Va in 1987 where he helped achieve a AAA Five Diamond rating for The Dining Room at Ford’s Colony Country Club. He developed their 500 label wine list, earning the Best of Award of Excellence.

In 1993, Blazon joined a wine distributor as a general sales manager for the Robins Cellars in Richmond, Va. After three years, he returned to the fine-dining arena as restaurant manager for Victoria & Albert’s, the award-winning restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World Resort. In 1997, Blazon was promoted to the position of opening general manager at Citricos.

As Manager of Wine Sales and Standards for Walt Disney World, Blazon continued to develop educational courses for Disney’s food and beverage team which includes the Disney sommelier certificate program in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers. More than 684 cast members have passed the introductory certificate level since the training began in 1997, which is a greater number than any food and beverage organization in the world. In 2006, John was recognized by The STARWINE International Wine Competition as their Sommelier of the Year.

In 2008, Blazon was elected to serve on the board for the Court of Master Sommeliers and was also appointed board member to the American Guild of Sommeliers.