Sommelier

Reporting to the Specialty Restaurant Manager, the role will be part of the AB Restaurant team, proud to engage our guests and to create exquisite moments.

You are a passionate Sommelier who is always on the lookout for new beverage trends and supervising others to do the same. When you are on the floor, you create energy that is both welcoming and exciting. You take pride in offering our guests a carefully curated wine and sake selection, a warm conversation, and helpful suggestions. Through your expertise, personality and attention to detail, you create memorable experience for our guests while leading by example for the entire team.

• Represent the AB brand and deliver exceptional guest experience.
• Pair and suggest wines and sake that will best complement each particular food menu item.
• Identify and propose new wines and sake products to complement existing menu selections.
• Research new wine and sake trends and benchmark competitors
• Conduct staff wine and sake tastings with company SOP and applicable laws.
• Conduct period inventories to ensure percentage cost is at or below budgeted levels.
• Order and conduct inventory of specialty wine equipment and glassware.
• Create and update wine and sake lists for outlets or restaurants.
• Design and implement wine and sake promotions and guest engagement initiatives.
• Meet with wine  and sake distributors, wineries, and purveyors to stay abreast of latest products and ensure positive vendor relationships.
• Curate, update and maintain wine and sake lists.
• Attend wine tastings and training to continue self-education and development.
• Answer guest questions or concerns regarding the origin, vintage, and style of various wines.
• Decant wines appropriately to the wine type.
• Issue, open, and serve wine/sake/champagne bottles, ensuring guest satisfaction.
• Monitor inventory of wine cellar, ensuring appropriate quality and amounts of wine, proper storage and disposal of wines, and replenishing cellar as needed.
• Train and educate server and bartender staff on wine origin, vintage, styles, and pairings.
• Complete closing duties, including storing all reusable goods, breaking down goods, cleaning all equipment and areas, returning equipment to proper locations, locking refrigerators, restocking items, turning off lights, locking doors, and completing daily cleaning checklist.
• Ensure that coolers, freezers are set at the correct temperatures and labeled and record equipment and food temperatures on HACCP chart.
• Complete scheduled inventories for wine and sake at the end of each month.
• Report any employee, guest, and/or vendor incidents and accidents to management and Loss Prevention at the time of the incident and/or accident.
• Act as a key operational leader within the restaurant, ensuring service standards are maintained.
• Count bank at end of shift, complete designated cashier reports, resolve any discrepancies, drop off receipts, and secure bank
• Update MICROS system menus as required.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures and brand identity guidelines
• Comply with all health, safety and hygiene standards and policies.
• Balance the cash register at the start and close of each shift.
• Help others when required

• A team Player with flexible & positive attitude.
• Passion for the hospitality industry.
• Possess a good command of English and Italian.
• Experience as Sommelier in luxury hospitality, Asian, Japanese or fusion dining concept preferred.
• Possess a good command of English and Italian.
• Exceptional storytelling and guest engagement skills.
• An excellent verbal manner and proven customer service skills.
• Good organization skills with an attention to detail.
• Able to work in a fast paced environment & remain calm under pressure.
• Be able to demonstrate experience in complaint handling.
• Strong grooming standards and professional presentation.
• Availability to work late nights, weekends and bank holiday as we operate 365 days a year.