Bringing more than two decades of experience garnered from high-profile hotels and restaurants around the world, Chef Fistrovich has appeared on the Food Network, Discovery Channel, and in numerous national publications including Travel + Leisure and Vogue for his culinary accomplishments. He is a graduate of Washburne Culinary Institute in Chicago, his hometown.

As a youth growing up in the seaside city of Viña del Mar, Chile, Jorge Mendoza learned the beauty of pairing a delicious wine with the perfect culinary accompaniment at the family dinner table.

After graduating from the National School of Hotel Management (INACAP) in Santiago with a major in food and beverage, Mendoza moved to Miami to begin a career in the hospitality industry with Marriott. He then went on to continue his education at Florida International University, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in hospitality management. While studying enology, he found himself gaining a new perspective for analyzing and tasting wines critically and decided to place a more specific focus on training himself as a sommelier.  Learning more about the trade at various gourmet restaurants and fine hotels in the area, he began his career at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne in 2001.

Regular travels through renowned wine regions from Burgundy to Tuscany serve as continued inspiration for Mendoza in his love of enology. He holds a Foundation Level Sommelier Certificate, Court of Master Sommeliers Certificate, Advanced Certificate Program for the Wines of France and Italy (with honors) and an Advanced Level Sommelier Certificate. In addition, Mendoza shares his vast expertise with aspiring sommeliers and aficionados as an instructor with the US Sommelier Association.