Welcome to Episode 1701, in which Cynthia Chaplin interviews Marie Cheslik in this installment of Voices, on the Italian Wine Podcast. More about today’s guest Marie Cheslik is a Wisconsin-born registered nurse and certified sommelier. In 2010, Marie moved to Chicago to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and during school, she also worked as a part-time hostess in a restaurant. She loved the culture, energy, and easy access to tasty snacks. She balanced two careers, working as a nurse and at award-winning restaurants, becoming more passionate about wine. Marie passed the Certified Exam from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018 and worked her way up to Wine Director at a one Michelin starred-restaurant in Chicago. In August 2020, she created Slik Wines, an online platform that believes in everyday, approachable wine education for everyone with no jargon, no gatekeeping, and no B.S. Marie has received Wine Enthusiast's Future 40 award for her work with Slik Wines and has been featured on Eater Chicago, Vinepair, Punch, and Chicago Magazine. Connect: Website: www.slikwines.com Youtube, Instagram, TikTok: @slikwines About today’s Host: Cynthia Chaplin is a VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador, a professional sommelier with FIS and the WSA, a member of Le Donne del Vino, and a Professor of Italian wine and culture. Born in the USA, she’s lived in Europe since 1990. Italian wine, in particular rosé, is her passion. She works with embassies, corporations and private clients, creating and presenting tastings, events, seminars and in-depth courses. Cynthia is a wine writer, a judge at international wine and sake competitions, she consults with restaurants and enotecas developing comprehensive wine lists and food pairings, and she advises clients who want to curate an Italian wine collection. She currently works for Vinitaly International in Verona as a Project Manager, Educator, and the host of VOICES Series on The Italian Wine Podcast, focusing on diversity and inclusion in the global wine industry. Connect: Facebook: Italian Wines in English Instagram: kiss_my_glassx Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ Facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast Twitter www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Share this pod! Remember Voices is all about diversity, equity, and heart-warming personal stories about real people!