Theresa Paopao

Theresa Paopao is the Wine Director for the Momofuku Restaurants. She hails from Hilo, Hawaii, via Boulder, Baltimore and Boston. Sometime after stints as a carpenter, a dancer, and a special-effects creator, she found herself at the Yale School of Drama studying technical design and production. And sometime during her schooling, she realized she needed a change of scenery. She moved to Boston where she fell in love with restaurant life and the world of wine. She spent time at The Federalist, and The Sweet Life Cafe, before landing at Ana Sortun’s Oleana in 2004 as Manager and then Wine Director. Paopao is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers and was named Rising Star Sommelier in 2009 by Star Chefs. She moved to NYC to work for Momofuku in 2010, and when she’s not submerged in all things wine, she spends her free time as an apprentice distiller at King’s County in Williamsburg.