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General James T. Hill |
General James T. Hill
When he's not concentrating on military operations, General
Hill of the U.S. Southern Command enjoys quality time with his wife,
Toni, at The Cellar Club.
Describe your job.
I’m a soldier-diplomat, responsible for all US military operations
and activities in the over 30 countries of Central and South America
and the Caribbean. I support US policy and promoting US interests,
and command all US military forces throughout the area of operations—working
closely with the US ambassadors and partner nations’ militaries.
How did you become aware of the Cellar Club?
My wife Toni and I became aware of the Cellar Club during our stay
at the Biltmore, when we first moved to Miami. Living just around
the corner from the hotel, we saw the benefit of joining for business
and personal use. It has been, along with the other Biltmore services,
our country club. We are leaving the military at the end of the
year and are staying in Coral Gables, so we look forward to continuing
our active membership.
Do you travel often professionally or personally? What
are some of your favorite destinations?
In the two years and three months that I have commanded SOUTHCOM,
I have made 82 trips through the region, frequent trips to DC, and
given some 86 speeches describing the importance of Latin America
to the American public. As a result I have a deep understanding
of the complexities of the region; unique, I think, among US decision
makers. I have met with everyone from Presidents to private soldiers.
It has been a wonderful experience, getting to know the people and
cultures of the hemisphere. The travels have enriched me, giving
me an understanding of the vast region’s rich diversity.
Do you consider wine a hobby? How about dining? Are you
a cook, and if yes, what is your specialty?
Fine dining and wine are hobbies. Both Toni and I love to cook,
especially Continental cuisine—anything that is messy, requiring
lots of pots and pans. Toni is the far better, more creative cook.
I make the greater mess. We found early in our marriage that sharing
a bottle of wine and cooking together in the evening was a great
way to end our day. Our military lifestyle has prompted many moves,
giving us the opportunity to sample a variety of local cuisines.
In every locale we tried to use the regionally grown foods and ingredients,
experimenting with recipes that used them. We’ve also found
that inviting friends into our home and sharing a fine meal, along
with good wine, helps move a relationship beyond the superficial.
That’s important to us, and we have left good friends in each
place we have lived.
Describe an aspect of the Cellar Club that you most enjoy.
We have enjoyed the wine list; the ability to sample many different
varieties. But our favorite part has been the interactive luncheons;
getting to create and eat great food, and, more importantly, getting
to meet new people and friends.
Do you have a favorite wine? A favorite varietal?
We really don’t have a favorite wine, though we do favor reds,
especially Shiraz, from either Australia or Chile. We recently tried
a great South African sauvignon Blanc called Kanu. Our idea of great
fun was visiting El Mundo del Vino in Santiago, Chile, billed to
us as the world’s greatest wine store. It sure lived up to
its billing.
If you had your choice of enjoying any meal, paired with
any bottle of wine, with anyone in the world to share it, what and
who would you choose? Where would you choose to dine?
My favorite bottle of wine is the one I am drinking while cooking
risotto in my own kitchen talking with Toni. But, if I could, I
would enjoy any meal and any wine, to include Ripple, for the chance
to sit down with John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., my
two personal heroes. I would let them choose the wine!! And the
meal. But of course, we would want to eat at the Biltmore in the
Al Capone suite, a private dining experience.
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