My name is Katie Kiesewetter, and I am raising funds to earn my WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2 certification through The American Wine School in Chicago, IL.

I am currently the Bar Lead at Swift Tavern (Boka Restaurant Group) in Chicago, but I have been working in service and hospitality for about thirteen years. I love what I do, and I'm looking to take the next step in my beverage education.

My long-term goal is to continue developing my wine knowledge so that down the road I can work to become a beverage director or sommelier. The WSET wine curriculum will provide me with the materials and expertise to take this step.

Wine has been an interest of mine since my first fine-dining experience as a young server. Currently, I keep a journal at home with tasting notes of all the wines I purchase for myself and have read a few books along the way, but this has only garnered me a basic, surface-level education. As lifelong student and educator myself, I know that a directed curriculum in a classroom setting would be extremely beneficial to take my studies to the next level.

The tuition and fees for the course and exam is about $725. Any amount you can give would be appreciated and helpful!