Chris Badini

Teaches at Astor Center

Chris’ career in the hospitality industry started at a very young age in his family’s restaurants. Food was his original passion and working in the kitchen felt like home for Chris. Fairleigh Dickinson University and The French Culinary Institute provided the necessary background to solidify his path in food and beverage. As a young wine buyer at the family restaurant, he participated in a Sommelier Challenge in NYC, where he met several top NYC sommeliers and realized this was the place to be. Shortly after that, Chris found himself working in Manhattan for a prominent restaurant group. This gave him the opportunity to further his knowledge and passion for wine as well as restaurant management. 

Late in 2001, Chris took his passion for wine in another direction working for a fine wine wholesaler in Manhattan. The past 13 years have taken Chris on an international wine journey and for the past years he has worked with Athenee Importers, where he represented their portfolio of fine Greek wines.