James Tidwell is the Sommelier at Café on the Green, the premier restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Irving, Texas.

James passed the Certified Wine Educator exam administered by the prestigious Society of Wine Educators. He was awarded the Society’s Banfi Award for the highest score of those passing the exam in the first attempt for 2003. In addition, James earned a diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust by completing a two-year program culminating in an all-day examination. Also, he successfully completed the Advanced Course of the Court of Master Sommeliers after a rigorous three-day examination. Other studies include a Bachelor of Science majoring in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University and a degree with Honors from the Culinary Institute of America.

James is co-founder of the Texas Sommelier Conference and the Texas Sommelier Association. He has taught wine courses for the culinary program at the Art Institute of Dallas for two years. He judges wine competitions nationally, and writes for wine publications. He currently consults wine collectors and organizations in Dallas, TX.

Formerly, James worked at several award-winning restaurants, including Restaurant Serenäde in Chatham, New Jersey, and Erna’s Elderberry House in Oakhurst, California before joining Café on the Green at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in 2002.