About
At a young and impressionable age I was told that if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. After working many, many days I decided it was time to start loving what I do! I’m passionate about wine, travel and writing and those three passions come together at Ruby Suitcase.
I grew up in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. As I was growing up, the wine region was growing up around me. I’m now based in Vancouver after having lived in Japan, Greece, Ireland and Scotland. I’ve decided to stay put in this beautiful city. While my address will remain the same I will keep up my travel addiction.
In addition to Ruby Suitcase, I am a regular contributor to Choices Explorer, an online publication with two million readers annually. The publisher, Kelowna-based Bridges Transitions, is the leading North American provider of education and career planning resources. I’ve covered everything from nanotechnology to yoga; my interview credits include university professors, ambassadors and national association leaders. I have also written for The Georgia Straight, Vendor Magazine, and Edible British Columbia’s Amuse Bouche Food Blog.
I hold a Bachelor of Journalism (high honours) from Carleton University in Ottawa. I’ve been writing professionally for ten years and I’m president of the Vancouver chapter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. In that role, I was recognized with the 2010 PWAC Regional Volunteer Award for British Columbia.
I am a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers. I completed this program with the help of a scholarship from Les Dames d’Escoffier British Columbia, on behalf of Mission Hill Winery. I have completed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 certification, a specialist qualification in the evaluation of wines. I also love great photographs and have snapped most of the photos you see on Ruby Suitcase.
Like what you’re reading? Buy it. Like the style? Send me an assignment. If you have no such powers I am happy to have you check back regularly for updates and tell your friends about Ruby Suitcase.
Thanks for visiting!
Sheila Whittaker
sheila [at] rubysuitcase [dot] com
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