Chef-owned restaurant, J. Ford’s Black Angus is being honored for its extensive wine list for the fifth consecutive year, being named a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” restaurant.
“We are delighted to be awarded this designation for the fifth year in a row,” says J. Ford’s co-owner Kelly Ford. “The staff and myself are constantly learning about wine, discovering unique wines and talking to our customers about wine.”
The awards, which are released annually by the magazine, judges “Award of Excellence” on a strict criteria including wine storage practices, staff training and education, how well wines pair with the restaurant’s culinary menu, the diversity and amount of labels offered and more.
In 2018, Wine Spectator is recognizing the wine list of a total of 2,453 restaurants—hailing from all 50 states and more than 75 countries—for their outstanding dedication to wine. The awards are given across three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award.
Only 32 restaurants were honored in the state of Indiana and J. Fords is the only restaurant in Terre Haute being recognized (closest is Indianapolis and Bloomington).
The award is received with great pride by owners Jeff and Kelly Fords. Kelly’s wine knowledge is extensive, in 2016 she received the level I Sommelier Certification and conducts numerous staff trainings and education series throughout the year. J. Ford’s carries 134 labels on its wine list.
Jeff and Kelly consider their restaurant to not be a “Terre Haute” restaurant, but a chef-owned steakhouse serving the entire state of Indiana with an extensive wine list, chef inspired nightly specials and an ever evolving menu.
The restaurant also hosts “Wine Pairing” dinners and the popular educational series called “Wine School”, both of which book-up months in advance throughout the year.
Kelly combines her wine knowledge and marketing background with her husband’s world class training. Restaurant co-owner and executive chef, Jeff Ford is a Certified Executive Chef and member of the American Culinary Federation, since 1997.
The Fords have owned and operated J. Ford’s Black Angus since October 2007, relocating the steakhouse to the historic former Heinl’s Flower Shop in 2016.
