Unfiltered with Amy Racine
Amy Racine, Beverage Director and Partner at JF Restaurants — Chef John Fraser’s award-winning hospitality group — presents Unfiltered, a new dinner series that made its debut this past fall. Racine, who has been named “Beverage Director of the Year” by both Esquire and Wine Enthusiast, created the series to convene some of the most thoughtful voices in wine and beverage and to spotlight purpose-driven hospitality.
Each evening will take place at a rotating JFR concept and feature a guest whose impact on the beverage industry extends far beyond the dining room — using hospitality as a platform to build community, shift culture, and expand access. From grassroots initiatives to cultural storytelling, Unfiltered celebrates leaders reshaping what wine and beverage hospitality can mean. Guests will include Touré Folkes, Jordan Salcito, Cristie Norman, and many more. Expect seasonally inspired small plates paired with thoughtful wines, alongside meaningful conversations. A portion of proceeds from each dinner will benefit a charity selected by the guest wine and beverage professional.
Wednesday, September 17: Touré Folkes
Turning Tables in New Orleans
Portion of proceeds going to Turning Tables
Location: IRIS
Sold Out
Thursday, October 30th: Jordan Salcito
Portion of proceeds going to Earthjustice
Location: IRIS
Sold Out
Tuesday, November 25: Cristie Norman
Delilah in Las Vegas
Portion of proceeds going to The United Sommeliers Foundation
Location: IRIS
Sold Out
Tuesday, December 2: June Rodil
Master Sommelier and CEO & Partner in Gracious Hospitality
Portion of proceeds going to Southern Smoke Foundation
Location: IRIS
Sold Out
Thursday, January 29: Ray Isle
Executive Wine Editor for Food & Wine and Author "The World in a Wineglass"
Portion of proceeds going to Inspire Napa Valley, for Alzheimer's Research & Care
Location: La Marchande at The Wall Street Hotel
Wednesday, February 4: Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix
The team behind Speed Rack, the speed bartending competition spotlighting rising femme talent
Portion of proceeds going to Speed Rack, for charities supporting breast cancer research
Location: Bar Tontine at The Wall Street Hotel
Friday, March 13: Tahiirah Habibi
A cultural strategist, sommelier, and storyteller redefining wine, luxury, and culture. The first Black woman on the cover of Wine Enthusiast and founder of The Hue Society and the Wine & Culture Festival
Portion of proceeds going to support an educational sponsorship for members of The Hue Society
Location: The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens at The Times Square EDITION
Thank you to our sponsor, Coravin, for their generous support in making this program possible.
