Wine Dinners

"Wine dinners at Le Titi de Paris are a wonderful way to spend a special evening. We have been coming to Le Titi for their monthly wine dinners for over 4 years; each month brings a delicious new menu and a chance to savor and linger over wines that we might not otherwise know about or have the opportunity to try. These wine dinners are an excellent introduction to many diverse wines and wineries, and offer the occasion to not only taste and explore a wide array of wines, but also allow us to learn more about the wines with James Crooker, who easily and thoughtfully shares his depth of knowledge of both the wines and the wineries.

The wines are matched carefully and deliciously with the menu, which is always delectably different each month; we find the exceptional talents of Chefs Michael and Susan Maddox are outstandingly showcased during these marvelous dinners. We look forward to finding the new menu online each month and have been known to work our schedule around in order to be able to attend… even coming during a very cold, snowy and stormy January evening. We are so glad to have discovered this restaurant years ago; Le Titi de Paris has definitely become our favorite restaurant and the wine dinners are certainly a monthly occasion that we look forward to eagerly and enjoy as often as we possibly can."

Susan and Larry Simon
Libertyville, Illinois

James W. Crooker

James grew up in Arlington Heights, his earliest memories are of his parents entertaining and hosting dinner parties for friends and neighbors. As a teenager, his family visited California wine-county, James saw first-hand the care and effort that went into making wine. He moved to San Francisco after graduating from the University of Iowa and began his career at the now shuttered Chateau Suzanne. By 1987, he was back in Chicago, working first as a manager of Gordon restaurant, moving up to Maitre ´D at Les Plumes, and in November 1989 taking a position as Captain at Le Titi de Paris. In October 2003 he was appointed Sommelier and in May 2005 he was accepted into the Guild of Master Sommeliers, passing the Level II exam in June 2006. James is currently a freelance writer and is teaching wine at the College of DuPage. We welcome James back each month to host our Winery Dinners.

Marcel Flori

Marcel began his adult life as an engineer, then in 1981 things changed and he began working as a Maitre D´Hotel at Dame Tartine in Paris, France. He immigrated to the United States and landed in Chicago where he became Captain of the Waiters at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in 1984. Marcel moved to the Park Hyatt Hotel and became their Sommelier in 1988. Chicago could not keep Marcel around though and he moved to Houston, Texas in early 1989 to work at the Four Seasons Hotel Restaurant and Confederate House. Marcel moved back to Chicago at the end of December 1989 to Le Titi de Paris where he settled in for 14 years as our Maitre D´Sommelier until he retired in 2003. He still joins us once a month to host his memorable wine dinners.

Personal Awards and Recognitions:

3rd Best Sommelier of America – 1986
Best Sommelier of the Midwest – 1986
Master Knight in the order of the Knights of the Vine
Knight in the Association International des Maître Conseils en Gastronomie Francaise