The Inspiring Yannick Benjamin: Head Sommelier at The University Club of New York and Co-Founder of Wheeling Forward

(Story originally posted in April 2019)

Yannick Benjamin has been the Head Sommelier at the prestigious University Club of New York since 2013. Yannick was born and raised in New York City by French parents. His mother is from Bordeaux and his father from Bretagne (Brittany). You could say his passion for food and wine is in his DNA. It comes as no surprise, that he held his first restaurant job at the tender age of 14.  Young Yannick was deeply influenced by his father and uncle who, at the time, were both employed at the exquisite French Bistro, La Grenouille of NYC.

When most teenage boys were playing video games, Yannick was starting to learn his craft, running food at the world-famous Bryant Park Grill. It was not long before he was promoted to barback.  He became fascinated by mixology after watching the movie ‘Cocktail’, starring Tom Cruise. Mixology was a brand-new concept in New York in the 1990s. However, the concept of a sommelier was non-existent at the time. That was about to change:  Kevin Zraly, Wine Director of Windows of the World (arguably the most highly regarded restaurant in the former World Trade Center) was fast becoming the influencer in the New York wine industry. Thanks to Kevin and his passion for wine, people started to take wine more seriously.  Wine was no longer an after-thought when ordering a meal or celebrating an event.  It had become the focal point of the dining experience.  Kevin’s passion influenced countless people – including Yannick – to educate themselves about wine.

At age 18, Yannick began working at Le Cirque – which consistently reviews as one of the finest culinary experiences in the world.  It was during his time at Le Cirque that Yannick was first exposed to the sommelier world.  In 1998, still only 20 years of age, he began his studies at The International Wine Center: “There was a whole other world I didn’t know about!” This is where it all began for Yannick. In 2002, he landed a sommelier position at Atelier at the Ritz Carlton. He was thriving and enjoying his new found passion.

After many years of being driven by an insatiable passion to conquer the wine world, Yannick was finally beginning to live his dream.  However, in October 2003, his dream seemingly turned into a nightmare, when an unfortunate car accident left Yannick paralyzed from the waist down. After several months of grueling rehabilitation and physical therapy, he was cleared to leave the hospital in January of 2004. The world he previously lived in did not change, but he did.  Yannick found himself more determined than ever to conquer the wine world all over again.  The great folks at the Ritz Carlton welcomed him back with open arms. 

He was grateful that his job at Atelier was waiting for him and he could not wait to get his life back to a sense of normalcy. Yannick had to first figure out a few things:  How was he going to get to and from work each and every day?  How was he going to regain the stamina needed to deal with the many rigors that come with being a sommelier?  What were the limits to which he could now realistically push his body?  Time would answer all of those questions.  He went back to the Ritz Carlton part-time.  However, the last thing he wanted was any downtime.  He wanted to challenge not only his body but also his mind.  While working at the Ritz Carlton, he enrolled in the Diploma of Wine & Spirits program at The International Wine Center and started class-work at the Court of Master Sommelier Association.  If that wasn’t enough, Yannick also began working at Le Du Wines’ retail store. At first blush, you may ask, “why was he stretching himself so thin?”  I know I did.  However, his mind, body, and soul all needed to be challenged and strengthened.  It took every ounce of effort for Yannick to feel comfortable with his new life and his new body.

I am happy to report that his studies proved to be very successful.  Today, Yannick is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers.  He passed the service and the theory parts of the extremely difficult Master Sommelier exam.

Upcoming New York City Event

However, Yannick was not done pushing the limits of his body, his mind, and especially his soul.  In 2011, Yannick co-founded, Wheeling Forward, along with his rehabilitation roommate, Alex Elegudin. While in the hospital, they both were visited by friends and family daily. They noticed how others were not as fortunate.  To quote Yannick, “I thought that one day, after Alex and I got out of the hospital, we could give back.” Wheeling Forward was their way of “giving back.”  It is a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to assist individuals with disabilities relearn the skills needed to tackle day-to-day events, such as getting back to school or work.  Wheeling Forward can even supply wheelchairs for those in need.

Wheeling Forward works hand-in-hand with The Axis Project in Harlem and Brooklyn in providing its members with a support system that allows them to achieve the mental and physical wellness needed for an active and productive lifestyle.  It also acts as a community center.  Yannick mentioned: “If you see someone that is in the same situation as you, but they are going to school or working part-time, it only motivates you and makes you think that you can do so as well.”

Wheeling Forward raises funds by organizing wine tasting events with the support of the New York wine industry, including sommeliers. The next event will take place at City Winery in New York City on Saturday, April 27, 2019. To purchase tickets, please click here.

Yannick’s work with the organization is very inspiring. Despite going through so much, he is such a positive and endearing individual. In my time chatting with Yannick, he said so many inspirational things.  However, there is one that really stuck with me: “At Wheeling Forward, we do not use the word NO”. Everyone should take that advice!  Thank you Yannick.

Santé,

Anna