Inez Ribustello got her start in the world of food and wine after moving to New York City from her hometown of Tarboro.

She earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and aspired to be a food critic. Then she attended New York's Institute of Culinary Education, where she began to learn about food and wine.

Contributed photo (ENLARGE)

Inez Ribustello

One of her first jobs out of culinary school was assistant cellar master at the renowned Windows on the World restaurant at the World Trade Center. In just 10 months, she was promoted to beverage director, putting her in the position as wine buyer for the largest grossing restaurant in North America.

After the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, when the World Trade Centers collapsed, Inez returned to her hometown of Tarboro with her fiancé, Stephen. Together they decided to open their own restaurant, wine bar and retail store called On the Square.

Two years ago, the couple opened 4th Street Wine Shop & Bar in downtown Greenville. Together, they oversee every aspect of their operations as well as raise a young daughter and son.

Inez is a consultant for Borgata Casino, Hotel & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. She also assists in research for Kevin Zraly's American Wine Guide.

She was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Achievement at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan. She has her Certified Specialist of Wine Certificate from the Society of Wine Educators and passed the advanced section of the Master Sommelier Diploma.

Words I live by:

Do what makes you happy.

My proudest accomplishment is:

Owning my own business in the town where I was raised.

If I could do it all over again, I would:

Do nothing differently.

What's always in my refrigerator?:

Bud Light.

What keeps me awake at night:

Global warming.

Right now I'm reading:

"Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter" by Phoebe Damrosch.

My favorite place in the world is:

Tarboro, N.C.

My favorite book is:

"Lamb" by Christopher Moore.

What brings me joy:

Getting kissed by my daughter and my husband. (My son doesn't know how to kiss yet.)

I collect:

Matches and salt & pepper shakers.

The best advice my mother ever gave me was:

If someone asks you to dance, always say yes.

My family:

A giving husband who is an amazing chef, listener and golfer. A 3½-year-old daughter who tells me I am her best friend everyday. A 10-month-old son who smiles when I come into the room and cries when I leave.

I'd like to learn to:

Speak Spanish fluently.

My favorite smell is:

Elderflower.

My first job was:

Selling children's clothes at Peter Pan Clothiers in the old Clark & Sons building on Main Street in downtown Tarboro.