RAY BLOOM
I spent 25+ years in the music industry, first as a member of various NW bands, then 20 years in various career moves from Music store part owner and mgr, then as a Rep for a number of professional  audio manufacturers, then as a District Mgr for a large international corporation, then as Nat’l Sales Mgr & Director of Sales & Marketing for a smaller NW Company I decided to retire and change courses.

I bought a small country store, remodeled it and updated it a bit and opened a deli and built a beer and wine department, which became my passion and profit center. I ran the store for 5 years, then I fsold it to pursue my career in the wine industry. I first took a job as buyer and department manager of a very busy wine department at a chain store in the wealthy community of Woodinville. After a couple years  I was recruited by some customers who were planning to open a new wine shop in the same community.

I helped plan and design the shop, designed the shelving and display and created the inventory for the shop, which was mostly NW wines. The shop was and is till quite successful, but after a short time, selling mainly wines from only local sources became les than interesting, so I chose to leave and explore a couple opportunities afforded me by importers with whom I had been doing business.

Right before leaving the chain store I was offered my 1st trip to France by one of these importers, to do a presentation to some Muscadet Producers in the Loire Valley.

Needless to say, I was hooked!

I spent 2 years as an independent agent for these 3 importers, one of which sold wines from France and Italy, one only from Australia and the other from France, Portugal & Oregon primarily. Now I work for the latter, and our book has expanded to include Spain, Italy, Germany, as well as a few Washington and California producers.

I have just recently returned from my 5th trip to France in less than 3 years, and I love being a part of an industry in which passion for one’s career is the driving force, rather  than mere money or climbing the corporate ladder. My trips have included the Loire Valley,  Rhone Valley and Languedoc Rousillon,  (twice each), Burgundy, Corsica, Costier de Nimes and Provence. Back to top

EDDY RICO
A native of Cannes, France, Eddy Rico began his culinary education assisting his step-father, Maitre d'Hotel for many caterers on the French Riviera. Soon, what was at the beginning just "a week-end job" transformed into a true passion. In addition to overseeing all aspects of the service, Eddy spent more and more time in kitchens, learning alongside renowned chefs and family members alike, with dishes handed down from generation to generation.

After graduating in international trade and politics, he attended culinary school for one year before coming to the U.S. in 1999 and started a business in the field he knew the best: catering. Over the years, Eddy Rico has catered hundred of events.

In 2006, just a few weeks after moving to the Pacific Northwest and noticing the abundance of the region with native fruits, vegetables and an expansive variety of fresh fish and seafood, Provence Gourmet Catering was launched on Mercer Island, Washington. Back to top