Pray Tell
1615 North Hancock StreetThe wine world often says food and wine that grow together, go together, and that spicy, tangy, salty, and sweet flavors are a challenge to pair. But what about foods from regions where wine grapes aren’t prevalent? What about global cuisines—many of which are outside of Europe—that celebrate heat and tang? Cha McCoy, Certified Sommelier and creator of The Communion dinner series, knows that good foods and wines go together and that the cuisines of Africa, Asia, and the Americas are just as worthy of great pours.
Join Cha and Binding Agents for a talk in celebration of her new book, Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond, at Pray Tell Winery (1615 N. Hancock St). The conversation will be led by Monty Younkins of Santé.
Whether you know nothing about wine pairing or think you know it all, this is a great opportunity to learn from an expert about how to enjoy excellent wines with any meal, from anywhere. Your ticket includes a beverage courtesy of Pray Tell!
Guests may choose a ticket with or without a copy of the book. Prices are inclusive of one drink per person and fees. Learn more about visiting Pray Tell here. This is a 21+ event, and parking is available on-site. Please contact us at hello@bindingagentsphilly.com with any questions or accessibility needs; we'd be happy to help.
About Wine Pairing for the People
In this first-of-its-kind guidebook, Cha McCoy pairs wines with foods from Africa, Asia, and beyond, blending practical information with a side of aspirational armchair travel. Cha shares her journey of learning and connecting with deep culinary traditions and regional cuisines around the world, diving in by continent and then by region or country, from Africa to the Caribbean, from Latin America to the United States of America, and Asia, and exploring their winemaking regions.
Throughout Wine Pairing for the People, you’ll see pairing lists and menus to easily find wines to savor with whatever food you’re craving, whether it’s Moroccan Tagine, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Mexican Elote, Shrimp Po’ Boy, Peach Cobbler, or Pad Thai. Plus, you’ll find 25 recipes for global fare from renowned chefs and mixologists that represent the heritage of each destination, with food accompanied by suggested wine pairing, to complete the meal.
Whether you’re curious about what to eat on your next trip abroad, want to try out a local restaurant, or are looking to explore a new cuisine to cook at home, Wine Pairing for the People will not only guide you on what to eat but how to best highlight the flavor of your meals with successful pairings. Complete with a foreword by Stephen Satterfield, and stunning photographs, maps, and illustrations throughout, this groundbreaking book boldly declares: Wine is for everyone.
About Cha McCoy
Cha McCoy, MBA, is an entrepreneur, educator, and a NAACP-nominated author. As a certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, she developed The Communion, a wine dinner series that offers an inviting, accessible approach to gathering and enjoying wine. This experience inspired her to open her first brick-and-mortar, The Communion Wine & Spirits, and her debut book, Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond. The dinner series was profiled in Food & Wine, and Cha was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40. Cha has held coveted positions, including Cherry Bombe Magazine’s first beverage director, the head of beverage for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and a sommelier at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Portugal. Passionate about education, she spends her spare time mentoring and teaching at her alma mater, Syracuse University, where she served as an adjunct professor, educating and inspiring new wine drinkers. Catch Cha if you can in Harlem, New York—or on one of her international adventures.
About Monty Younkins
Monty is a certified sommelier with specialties in Italian wine, Ancient Wine and Wine Education. She’s partial to skin contact wine and renegade food and wine pairings. Originally from the Southeast, she learned the true meaning of southern hospitality that has informed her career of nearly 13 years. The magic moment that solidified her descent into wine madness happened in Chicago, where she was inspired by sommeliers who broke the tradition of white glove service and helped inspire a dream that wine could be fun, charismatic, and accessible.
Monty has worked in many types of spaces: wine bars, high volume restaurants, private chef dinners, classroom settings and even co-owned a small business with a chef partner in 2020. No matter where you find her, Monty strives to invite guests into a wine world that is ever changing and unrestricted. You can find her on days off hiking with her pup, Rudy or dancing at the nearest emo night.
Learn more about Monty's work with Santé at santephilly.com/.
About Pray Tell Winery
Pray Tell winery was founded in 2017 by South Philadelphia native, Tom Caruso, in Oregon's Willamette Valley. From making wine on the sidewalk as a kid with his Italian immigrant grandfather to fifteen years of professional winemaking across New York, California, and Oregon, he recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving the entire operation back east to a warehouse in Olde Kensington. What started as five ambitious barrels has since expanded to be an exploration of curiosity across multiple grape varieties, growing regions, and winemaking techniques.
Sydney Adams, an acclaimed sommelier in the LA restaurant scene joined the team in 2022 with a harvest in Abruzzo under her belt. Together, they are making some truly exciting wines and welcome guests into the open concept tasting room to educate and demystify the process from grape to bottle.
Wed, Apr 29, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Pray Tell
1615 North Hancock Street
Binding Agents is Philly's bookshop for cooks and eaters. Located in South Philly’s culinary epicenter, the 9th Street Italian Market, we’re your go-to source for new cookbooks and food-focused reads, plus gifts and goods for making, serving and enjoying. We’re independent, women-owned, fun & funky. Learn more at bindingagentsphilly.com.
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