Alpana Singh

Alpana Singh

Keynote Speaker: Restaurateur, Master Sommelier, TV Host & Author

Alpana Singh Biography

One of just 269 master sommeliers worldwide, and one of just 28 women to be given the distinction, Alpana Singh became the youngest American woman ever to pass the final level of the master sommelier exam at age 26. Born and raised in Monterey, California, Alpana Singh’s strong work ethic and ease with people of all ages stemmed from a youth spent working in her family’s ethnic grocery store. Later, while waiting tables in college, Singh fell in love with wine and discovered that it united her varied interests in traveling, history and food.

Singh shares her inspiring story of rising from the daughter of Fijian immigrants to becoming a successful entrepreneur and television personality all while navigating a male-dominated profession. She gives groups a glimpse of the back of the house as she teaches them how to taste wines “blind,” purchase bottles like a professional, and pair with meals for any occasion.

At 19, Singh began her path in the business with a job as a wine sales clerk at Nielsen Bros. Market in Carmel, California. By 23, she had landed the sommelier position at the world-renowned Everest Restaurant in Chicago. Just three years later, Singh earned the title Master Sommelier. This distinguished accomplishment, along with her effervescence, experience and energy, was magnetic, and it wasn’t long before Singh found herself in the local spotlight. For ten seasons, she served as the host of the Emmy Award-winning restaurant review television show, Check, Please!, on Chicago’s PBS station and returned in 2018 after a 5-year absence.

In 2006, Singh released Alpana Pours, a unique lifestyles book that shares her social observations of wine, contemporary women and relationships. A humorous and real look at the sometimes absurd interactions between men and women plays out in an entertaining book of tips for hosting and entertaining.

In December 2012, Singh opened The Boarding House, a wine-driven concept in the River North neighborhood. In February of 2015, Singh opened her second restaurant, Seven Lions, on Chicago's iconic Michigan Avenue. In 2016, Alpana opened her third restaurant venture, Terra & Vine, in Evanston, Illinois.

Singh is a member of the Advisory Council for the Illinois Restaurant Association and Choose Chicago where she serves as Treasurer on their Executive Committee. She played a significant role in bringing the James Beard Foundation Awards to the city of Chicago in 2015 and is an avid supporter of Deborah's Place, an organization that assists and empowers women facing homelessness.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Alpana Singh and other top speakers and celebrities.

Alpana Singh Speaking Topics

Motivation & Determination in Life: How the Daughter of Fiji Immigrants Became the Youngest Woman to Ever Pass the Master Sommelier Exam

Turning a Passion for Wine into a Career

Pairing Wine with Food

The Basics of Wine Tasting: How to Taste Like a Master Sommelier

How to Run a Successful Beverage Program: From Purchasing to Developing & Maintaining a Wine Cellar

Alpana Singh Videos

Terroir - Alpana Singh
One Chicago Stories - Alpana Singh
Global Perspectives: Alpana Singh

How do I book Alpana Singh to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Alpana Singh for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Alpana Singh, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Alpana Singh or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Alpana Singh for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Alpana Singh, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Alpana Singh, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Alpana Singh speak about?

Alpana Singh is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Authors, Food & Beverage, Television & Film, Celebrity Chef, Entertainers, Literary, Celebrity, Hospitality and Culture.

Where does Alpana Singh travel from?

Alpana Singh generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Alpana Singh?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Alpana Singh for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Alpana Singh for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Alpana Singh or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Alpana Singh is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Diversity & Inclusion, Authors and Food & Beverage. The estimated speaking fee range to book Alpana Singh for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Alpana Singh generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Will Guidara, Aarti Sequeira and Art Smith. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Alpana Singh for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/07/2024.

Alpana Singh Speaking Topics

  • Motivation & Determination in Life: How the Daughter of Fiji Immigrants Became the Youngest Woman to Ever Pass the Master Sommelier Exam

  • Turning a Passion for Wine into a Career

  • Pairing Wine with Food

  • The Basics of Wine Tasting: How to Taste Like a Master Sommelier

  • How to Run a Successful Beverage Program: From Purchasing to Developing & Maintaining a Wine Cellar

Alpana Singh Videos

Terroir - Alpana Singh
One Chicago Stories - Alpana Singh
Global Perspectives: Alpana Singh
  • How do I book Alpana Singh to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Alpana Singh for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Alpana Singh, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Alpana Singh or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Alpana Singh for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Alpana Singh, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Alpana Singh, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Alpana Singh speak about?

    Alpana Singh is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Authors, Food & Beverage, Television & Film, Celebrity Chef, Entertainers, Literary, Celebrity, Hospitality and Culture.
  • Where does Alpana Singh travel from?

    Alpana Singh generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Alpana Singh?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Alpana Singh for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Alpana Singh for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Alpana Singh or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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