Sommelier - Brennan's

Location

New Orleans, LA | United States

Job description

Rare opportunity for an experienced sommelier to work for a Grand Award-winning wine cellar and Advanced Sommelier Sam Bortugno.

Brennan’s is a family-owned, premier fine dining restaurant in New Orleans celebrated for modernized Creole cooking, polished and attentive service, and gracious hospitality. In 2022, Brennan’s was named a  Finalist by the   James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Restaurant and a  Grand Award Winner (’21 and ’22) by Wine Spectator , as well as being named one of  The New York Times’ “50 Places in America we are most excited about right now.”  In 2019 Brennan’s was showcased as one of “America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants” in Wine Enthusiast magazine. In 2014, Brennan’s underwent a $10M renovation including the modernization of its fabled wine cellar which today holds 16,000 bottles, 3000 labels and 60 verticals in a two-story, climate-controlled working cellar which doubles as a dining room, training and tasting venue. Brennan’s is home to the original Bananas Foster tableside flaming dessert as well as Breakfast at Brennan’s, an iconic, beverage forward dining experience. Bubbles at Brennan’s, a beloved, new tradition, features premium champagne at discounted prices and Champagne sabering in Brennan’s French Quarter courtyard and Roost Bar during happy hour. 

Ideal candidates should be well versed in numerous styles of wine and be familiar with the classic regions of the world as well as emerging trends in the world of wine. A strong understanding of wine service as well as the ability to discuss wine eloquently and naturally in a wide variety of settings will be very important to anyone working in this roll. Most of all both a professional work-ethic and a passionate approach to food, wine and service are a necessity.

Service/Operations

• Provide excellent wine service to our guests and support the service team. Maintain a level of professionalism, knowledge, and kindness that will drive repeat guest patronage. Must be humble, and bring some fun to wine service.
• Advise guests on wine selections based on their taste preferences and knowledgably recommend wine pairings. 
• Participate in service meetings and effectively communicate with management, chefs and culinary staff in order to fulfill and address any issues or needs requested by guests and or other employees.
• Assist in wine service in both a la carte and private dining rooms. Anticipate the guests' needs and respond appropriately with a sense of urgency.
• Educate service, sales and management team on wine service standards.
• Educate staff on new wines, 86’d items, and one count list, as well as food and wine pairings. 
• Maintain appropriate beverage cost by managing purchasing and requisitions. Educate service, sales and management team on wine service standards including opening wine, pour levels, proper storage, etc.
• Assist in maintaining physical inventory of the cellar: receiving and putting away deliveries, restocking wines, putting new wines away, daily wine stocking of par levels- whites, red and sparkling, maintaining inventory of wine, other beverages. Clean, organize, and upkeep of the cellar on a daily basis. 
• Assist with updating and changing out wine lists and service documents.
• In absence of wine director, represent the wine department at daily line ups.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand, walk, and bend for extended periods
• Other duties as assigned

Education

• Attend and participate in-house tasting appointments with wine director 
• Maintain professional relationships with purveyors and wine industry professionals 
• Work closely with culinary teams to develop food and wine knowledge and pairings for staff education 
• Organize and present wine classes to staff 
• Assist in the training of new FOH hires as it relates to wine service and product knowledge
• Maintain professional education and continued wine studies
• Participation in outside trade tastings and other educational seminars 
• Obtain and maintain restaurant certifications needed for position.

Administrative and Financial

• POS Management- Continually update database by adding new wines, removing 86’d wines and create new numbers when needed.
• Audit accuracy of all wine prices as they correspond to the wine list.
• Assist wine director and lead sommeliers in physical inventory on the first day of every month.
• Return emails, correspondence, phone calls as needed
• Work directly with sales team to make wine recommendations and execute private party wine service.
• Communicate with Wine Director and General manager to report period sales.
• Administer transfers.
• Management of company property

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of beverage or sommelier experience.
• Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier or WSET preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of wines, other beverages and proper service.
• Previous experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work varied shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain full knowledge and understanding of company and department rules and regulations, policies and procedures.
• At least 21 years of age

Compensation

· $18-25 per hour + tips and commission on wine sales.

Ralph Brennan’s six high-energy, high-experience restaurants (plus a catering company and a bakery) stand apart for our commitment to inspired, locally-sourced cuisine and gracious hospitality served up in New Orleans’ most revered and iconic dining rooms.

Job tags

Salary