Meet the Eleven Madison Park Wine Team

Get to know our award-winning team of sommeliers.

From left: Mark Guillaudeu, John Fuller, Sam Neely, Jordanne Pascual-Cancel, Anthony Alvarez, Nicholas Walters, Grant Dearden, Ehron Souza, Adam Waddell

Adam Waddell

Our Wine Director, Adam Waddell, was born and raised on the West Coast, where he started violin studies at the age of four. After coming to New York in 2010 to continue studies in Classical Violin Performance, he soon developed a new-found passion for wine and hospitality. Since then, he has worked at many well-known New York City restaurants, such as Jean-Georges, Ai Fiori, and Gabriel Kreuther.

Adam was the first Head Sommelier at SAGA by Jamal James Kent and joined Eleven Madison Park in 2023 as Associate Wine Director. In 2025, he was named Wine Director and now leads the program with dedication and expertise.

Brady Brown

Brady Brown grew up in a small town in Eastern Kentucky, where he got his start bartending before moving to Washington, D.C., and then New York City in 2012. He spent several years working with a Master Sommelier in Brooklyn and earned his Advanced Sommelier certification in 2019.

He joined Eleven Madison Park that same year as a Sommelier and helped reopen the restaurant in 2021. He went on to serve as Wine Director at Estela and Altro Paradiso, and played a key role in opening Brass at the Evelyn Hotel. Brady returned to the EMP team in 2025 as Assistant Wine Director, where he continues to help uphold the high standards of our dining experience.

Jordanne Pascual-Cancel

After moving to New York from San Diego, California and working in publishing, Jordanne decided to pursue a career in food and wine. She quickly rose through the front of house ranks at Untitled at the Whitney and The NoMad before getting her first sommelier job at Wallsé, where she immersed herself in Austrian wine.

She was part of the re-opening sommelier team at Babbo, where she developed a deeper understanding of Italian wine and achieved her WSET Level 3 certification. Prior to joining Eleven Madison Park, Jordanne opened and ran the wine program at Principe a restaurant in the heart of SoHo helmed by EMP alumni. She's currently pursuing her Advanced certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Jordanne views wine as the ultimate condiment not just for specific dishes but also a way to enhance any and all of life's occasions. Outside of Eleven Madison Park, Jordanne's experimenting with her own food and wine pairings at home, writing about wine and life events, or learning about new things.

Grant Dearden

Raised in Washington D.C., Grant comes from a family that is passionate about home cooking. When he was growing up, meals were collaboratively planned out days in advance and served as a main topic of conversation throughout the week. His parents more often than not had wine adorning the table unintentionally teaching him from a young age that there was more to the beverage than simply alcohol. It was only natural for him to start working in restaurants at the impressionable age of 15, where he began to envision a career as a hospitality professional.

Grant started his wine education through the Court of Master Sommeliers within a month of his 21st birthday. He moved to New York shortly thereafter to accept a job as an assistant sommelier at Carbone, where he was mentored by a couple of Eleven Madison Park alumni. Eager to enter the world of fine dining, Grant joined the wine team at Jungsik where he developed a soft spot for the wines of Burgundy and Champagne. He later moved on to a management role in which he coordinated wine-focused private events.

He joined the team at EMP in the summer of 2024, fulfilling a longtime goal of his. When not at the restaurant, he can likely be found riding a bicycle on Route 9W or preparing elaborate dinners of his own.

John Fuller

John was born into the restaurant industry in his hometown of Block Island, Rhode Island. From a young age, he worked for his mom at the restaurant and hotel she managed, and he discovered his passion for wine there during the summers of his college years.

As a history major at Connecticut College, he originally wanted to pursue a career in archaeology. He realized quickly that wine was the perfect intersection between history, food, culture, politics, and religion. After graduation, he worked one more summer on Block Island, managing his mom's restaurant and taking ownership of their wine program. When the season ended, he decided to move to New York City and enroll at the Institute of Culinary Education for their Intensive Sommelier Program.

Upon completing the program and passing the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Exam, John accepted a job as a kitchen server at Eleven Madison Park. He worked his way through a number of positions, learning about the art of hospitality, while also being mentored by the sommelier team. In 2024 he joined the wine team as the Sommelier for Clemente Bar, where he helped to open the new space. John is most passionate about the wines from Burgundy, Barolo, Napa Valley, and New Zealand. Outside of work, he loves to spend time in nature, read about history and culture, and try new restaurants.

Nick Walters

Nick grew up in St. Louis, MO, and first found his love for wine as a college student. During his senior year at Miami University (the one in Ohio), he enrolled in a wine tasting course and had his eyes opened to the world of wine. After graduating with a degree in Finance, Nick worked in corporate banking for 3 years while wine remained a hobby on nights and weekends.

In 2020, Nick made a career change to follow his passion. He left his job in Finance and moved to Napa, CA where he spent time at Cakebread Cellars and Chappellet Winery.

Nick joined Eleven Madison Park in 2021 as a Kitchen Server and member of the reopening team. After working nearly every position in the dining room, he joined the wine team as a Sommelier in 2022. In addition to his role as Sommelier, Nick also runs the EMP beer program, with a focus on local breweries and rare beers and ciders. With a fun-loving Midwest sensibility (read: he has a driver's license), his true passion is meeting and connecting with guests each night.

An Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Nick is currently preparing for his Master Sommelier exam. In 2024, he was named the Best Young Sommelier in the Northeast Region by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, taking 3rd place in the National Final. He has a soft spot for California wines, White Burgundy, and Austrian Riesling. He is a lifelong ice hockey player and enjoys watching Survivor, hosting dinner parties, and reading wine lists until his girlfriend makes him stop. He's also the Commissioner of the EMP Fantasy Football League.

Mark Guillaudeu

Mark Guillaudeu began his career in hospitality on the tail end of graduate school studying Tibetan Buddhism at the University of Virginia. Inspired to deepen his knowledge of wine, he relocated from the east coast to San Francisco where he spent time working at the two-Michelin-starred Commis.

He earned his WSET Diploma in 2016, and in 2019 he was named one of Food & Wine Magazine's 'Best New Sommeliers' as he entered the MW program, enjoying competitive successes along the way that culminated in winning the title "Best Sommelier USA" in June of 2022.

In February of 2023, he represented the USA at the Concours Mondiale (World Championship) in Paris, becoming the first American in history to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

That September, he earned his Master Sommelier’s Diploma, and the following year he retook the title "Best Sommelier USA." Mark joined the team at Eleven Madison Park in May of 2024 and delights in sharing his joy, love, and knowledge of wine with his guests and team. Mark has a passion for the wines of Austria, Spain, and other savory styles the world over.

Sam Neely

Originally from the UK, Sam moved to the United States in 2017 to pursue a career in the beverage and hospitality industry. Starting out his journey in coffee, Sam was a three-time finalist in the United States Barista Championship while beginning to study wine as a hobby. In 2020 Sam left coffee and moved to Austin, TX to pursue a full-time career in wine. There, he gained his sommelier certification before moving to NYC in 2023 to join the team at Eleven Madison Park. In 2024, he was named the “Best Young Sommelier in the United States.”

In his free time, Sam enjoys dining at the many amazing restaurants in the city, cycling and watching Formula 1.

Brian Kim

Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Brian’s journey into the world of wine began during his early days as a culinary student and line cook at Marea in New York, where he spent countless hours exploring the city’s vibrant dining scene. His lightbulb moment came courtesy of a glass of German Riesling—a wine so delicious it convinced him to hang up his apron and try his hand at the world of wine. In 2017, he joined The NoMad as a kitchen server, a role that deepened his appreciation for the interplay of food and wine. This experience led him to The Culinary Institute of America, where he honed his expertise in wine studies.

During the pandemic, Brian immersed himself in retail, curating selections at Leon & Sons in Clinton Hill. As restaurants reopened, he joined Blue Hill at Stone Barns, where over three years, he advanced to a sommelier role, relishing the opportunity to steward a prestigious and expansive wine program.

In March 2024, Brian joined the wine team at Eleven Madison Park, where he loves collaborating with peers who share his dedication to wine and hospitality. Currently pursuing his Advanced Sommelier Certification, Brian finds particular inspiration in the wines of the Rhône, Napa Valley, and the Mosel. When he’s not at work, you’ll probably find him in yet another restaurant, eating (and now drinking) his way through the city.

Anthony Alvarez

Originally from Miami, Florida, Anthony’s passion for wine began at a popular local wine bar, Lagniappe. After noticing his genuine interest in wine, the owner offered to fund Anthony’s education through the Court of Master Sommeliers, setting him on a path of growth and discovery in the world of wine.

Anthony’s journey advanced as he eventually became the Wine Director at Lagniappe, overseeing the bar’s renowned collection and further refining his expertise. After a few years, he then went on to join the opening team at Boia De, a celebrated Miami restaurant, where he served as the Wine Director. There, Anthony played an instrumental role in curating an exceptional wine program that complemented the innovative cuisine of the establishment.

In pursuit of broader horizons, Anthony moved to New York City, where he joined the wine team at COTE Korean Steakhouse. Over the course of two years, he honed his craft while managing the dynamic and diverse wine offerings at the restaurant. His experiences there led him to join the esteemed team at Eleven Madison Park.

With a wealth of experience in both the casual and fine dining sectors, Anthony Alvarez brings a unique perspective to the world of wine, seamlessly blending his Miami roots with the sophistication of New York’s fine dining scene.

Ehron Souza

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Ehron discovered his passion for hospitality at the age of 18, despite not coming from a family rooted in the industry. His early experiences in restaurants sparked a fascination with wine, setting him on a journey through the craft of wine service and education.

Driven by a desire to deepen his knowledge, Ehron moved to New York City to study wine more seriously. Along the way, he achieved the Walter Clore Scholar distinction for the highest score in his CMS Certified exam and trained under some of the most respected figures in the wine world, including Master Sommelier and owner of Corkbuzz Laura Maniec and Master Sommelier John Ragan at various USHG establishments.

Ehron then went on to work at some of NYCs best restaurants including Manhatta and two-Michelin-starred Al Coro. These opportunities refined Ehron’s expertise in wine theory, curation, and hospitality, solidifying his reputation as a rising talent in the industry.

In 2023, Ehron joined the sommelier team at Eleven Madison Park, where he continues to work. His role involves guiding guests through the restaurant’s extensive wine offerings, curating pairings that elevate the dining experience, and sharing his passion for wine with colleagues and guests alike.