Lorin Laxton
Catering Works
Raleigh
2
Certification
34
Years of experience
Accomplished Wine Educator and Beverage Program Leader with over 30 years of experience in wine selection, program development, and food-and-wine pairing. WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (Merit) and Introductory Sommelier certified, with expertise in teaching and mentoring consumers and hospitality professionals. Skilled in crafting immersive beverage experiences that blend education, culture, and hospitality.
Work History
Beverage Program Lead
5 Years 6 Months- Sourced wines and developed beverage programs for café and event operations to enhance guest experiences.
- Coordinated educational beverage programming and wine experiences to increase guest engagement and knowledge.
- Collaborated with curators, chefs, distributors, and Vitis House to design immersive food-and-wine events that elevate culinary offerings.
- Develop specialty programming that connects art, culture, food, and beverage.
Co-Owner & Hospitality Executive
34 Years 6 Months- Co-owner and executive leader of a nationally recognized catering and hospitality company, serving in technology, finance, sales, marketing, event production, and beverage leadership roles.
- Developed and managed beverage programs for catered events, private functions, weddings, and hospitality operations.
- Curated wine selections and pairing experiences for clients and chef-driven dining events.
- Led staff training and mentorship initiatives focused on beverage knowledge, hospitality, and client service.
- Produced luxury weddings and special events integrating culinary, beverage, and experiential design.
- Co-developed award-winning culinary and beverage experiences, including the Culinary Adventures event series.
Managing Partner
2 Years- Managed operations for a gourmet retail marketplace specializing in artisan foods, wine, craft beer, specialty coffee, and cheese.
- Managed procurement, vendor relationships, technology implementation, budgeting, and operations.
- Directed wine purchasing and merchandising.
- Founded and led an educational wine club featuring guided tastings and food pairings.
- Produced and led a landmark 'Pop the Cap' beer tasting event following passage of North Carolina's Pop the Cap legislation, introducing over 400 consumers to emerging craft beer styles and high-gravity beers newly available in the state.
- A Catering Works Company
Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM)
6 Years- Executed international missions over six years of active-duty service, enhancing operational readiness.
- Cultivated expertise in technology systems and training, laying groundwork for successful business ownership and leadership in hospitality.
Education
Associate of Science - Liberal Arts
Skills
Customer service
Problem-solving
Organizational skills
Excellent communication
Beverage program management
Teamwork and collaboration
Active listening
Oral communication
Friendly
positive attitude
Certification
- WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (Merit), 2026
- WSET Level 2 Award in Wines (Merit), 2024
- WSET Level 1 Award in Beer, 2024
- Introductory Sommelier Course, Court of Master Sommeliers, 2013
Wine Regions Studied Through Travel
- Bordeaux
- Piemonte
- Tuscany
- Marlborough
- Central Otago
- Finger Lakes
- Getariako Txakolina
- Napa Valley
- Sonoma
SELECTED QUALIFICATIONS
- Wine Education & Instruction
- Conduct wine tastings, guided pairings, and educational seminars for consumers, clients, and hospitality professionals.
- Design and deliver educational programs covering wine regions, grape varieties, tasting methodology, and food pairing.
- Mentor hospitality teams and emerging event professionals in beverage knowledge, service standards, and guest engagement.
- Beverage Program Leadership
- Direct beverage programming for Catering Works and North Carolina Museum of Art food and beverage operations.
- Curate wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage offerings for NCMA Café restaurant, catering, and special event environments.
- Source and procure products from domestic and international suppliers and develop wine lists, cocktail programs, and pairing menus.
- Experiential Beverage Programming
- Collaborate with Vitis House on Art Inside the Bottle and other educational wine initiatives.
- Design and present immersive experiences including wine, spirits, and food-pairing events, such as Fizz and Chips, Infused Beverage Immersion, Wild West Whisky, Still Life Wine Tasting and Ancient Roman Wine Dinner
- Creator and presenter of The Zodiac Dinner, a twelve-course luxury dining experience featuring wine, spirit, and zero-proof beverage pairings.
Timeline
Beverage Program Lead
North Carolina Museum of Art
01.2021 - CurrentRead More
Managing Partner
FIGS MARKET
01.2006 - 01.2008Read More
Co-Owner & Hospitality Executive
Catering Works
01.1992 - CurrentRead More
Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM)
United States Navy
01.1986 - 01.1992Read More
University of Maryland Global Campus
Associate of Science from Liberal Arts
Read More