James Quaile

James Quaile is one of eleven children raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Somerdale, NJ. He is a Certified Sommelier, musician, singer, teacher, and author. The road that led him to this point has been long and winding.

Jimmy’s journey started at just six years old, when he began singing and playing drums in his family’s band, The Quailes. By the time he was a teenager, The Quailes were performing at local and national nightspots.

After ten years of entertaining, the road curved when The Quailes opened their own club, The First Fret Lounge, in Westville, NJ. He and his siblings played there exclusively until Atlantic City casinos came calling. The Quailes’ shows gained wider acclaim (recognized by Atlantic City Magazine as the "Best of A.C."), giving them the opportunity to share the stage with a virtual “who's who” in show business.

Jimmy’s road then took a sharp turn from 2002 to 2011 when he and his chef wife, Janet, opened and operated Big Daddy’s Crabcakes. Their seafood restaurant was recognized as the Best of Philly by Philadelphia Magazine.

The route recalculated further when Jimmy became Wine Consultant for leading wine retailers Roger Wilco Wines & Spirits and online retailer WinesTillSoldOut. In 2014, he received the title of Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

All roads eventually lead to Jimmy combining his entertainment background and his passion for wine with his book, Tales from the Wine Floor: 100 Questions Asked of a Sommelier published by Lyons Press (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.).

In addition to writing about wine, he teaches wine classes, hosts “Somm Dinners” for corporate clients and casino special events and donates his time and talents in support of his favorite charities.

Jimmy and Janet are parents to Lynsay and Leah, and grandparents to Aven, Shea, Ailidh, and Annabel.

The one aspect of Jimmy’s life that has never changed course is his lifelong fascination with The Beatles. He is an avid collector of Beatles memorabilia and if you ask him how he’s doing, he’ll tell you, “It’s getting better all the time!”