Sommelier

Resident is looking for a freelance Sommelier - we take over townhouses, penthouses, and other luxury spaces to host ticketed dinners and private events (personal celebrations, corporate buyouts, wholly-owned brand experiences) featuring chefs from the world’s best restaurants. We merge the quality of Michelin Star dining with the excitement of a dinner party.

Sommeliers choose to work with Resident because we provide them with a platform to showcase their talent. Sommeliers retain creative control to speak about their experience, the wine pairings selected for the evening, and have the chance to speak directly to our guests by personally introducing each pairing. 

The Sommelier’s primary responsibility is to ensure that all aspects of beverage service are executed in a smooth, consistent and compelling manner that reflects positively on our brand and our partners. The Sommelier will serve as one of the faces of our brand at our experiences, executing a technically flawless and comfortable beverage service. The format for each Resident experience is either a sit-down tasting menu (typically 20-40 guests), or a reception style canape/cocktail event (typically 50-100 people). This individual will possess excellent knowledge of wine and high-end steps of service and will have the creative freedom to introduce each pairing to guests in a manner that reflects positively on our brand.

They will be an active participant in service from start to finish and engage in all aspects of service from wine execution, to table maintenance to cleaning up. This independent contractor should be a team player, a leader and a friendly face to our guests.

For select events, the Sommelier may be asked to plan wine stations for private clientele, or requested to work a bar. For standard events and select events with added complexity, the Sommelier compensation is defined in accordance with the financial terms outlined below for each event executed. 

Resident hosts events on both weekdays and weekends. The Sommelier will have the opportunity to apply for events via our scheduling platform that work for their schedules. The Sommelier will be helping to execute events alongside a robust team of freelancers and W2s onsite. We are looking for an autonomous leader that thrives in an independent working environment. 

Core Responsibilities:

While a Sommelier at Resident has flexibility with regards to how they will be introducing beverage, the Company expects that all services rendered will be executed in a manner that reflects positively on our brand, our talent, our real estate partnerships and our guests. In order to successfully accomplish these goals, each event lead is responsible for:

• Brand:
• Understand and communicate Resident’s values and brand philosophy to guests, clients, and staff. 
• Set the tone for a positive work environment.
• Promote Resident’s vision while establishing us as an innovator within our industry
• Highlight brand sponsors and soft sell our guests on opportunities to partner with them. 

• Menu:
• Engage with the chef in advance of the event and review menu items to understand what is being served and how to speak about it should a guest inquire. 
• Understand different types of allergy restrictions and help communicate potential issues to floor and kitchen staff

• Service:
• Works to achieve the goals set by the Event Lead.
• Deliver consistently excellent wine service.
• Assist in set up and break down of the experience with the event staff
• Participate in all steps of service as needed during each experience.
• Follow responsible alcohol service guidelines.
• Maintain organization and aesthetic appeal of wine displays.
• Maintain sanitation to Department of Health standards; Keep work areas clean and organized.
• Monitor inventory; restock bar inventory as needed

• Communication:
• Engage Resident’s full time team members in a 15 minute pre-event call 24-72 hours before the event when there is a specialty wine activation component to the event when applicable for complex events. 
• Engage guests during the experience to ensure they are enjoying their evening.
• Communicate recommendations to Resident on how to maintain and improve the wine program.
• Embody and uphold the Resident values to corporate and hourly staff, building staff, and guests.
• Demonstrate and maintain excellent product knowledge when communicating with guests
• Greet guests immediately with a smile.
• Inform Event Lead and Resident immediately of any DOH or OSHA/workplace safety violations. 
• Inform Management of any product or supply needs.
• Fill out End of Night Survey to provide Resident with feedback about the event.

Required Skills:

• Timely and well-presented
• Shows a desire to learn about wine and develop within our company
• Demonstrates good organizational skills with an eye for detail
• Passion for exceptional hospitality in food and beverage
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Ability to assist in all aspects of service execution including, but not limited to, bussing, food running, water service, and general table maintenance
• Familiarity of major cuisines of the world and cooking techniques 
• An advanced understanding of the foundations of food and beverage pairing
• Ability to speak in front of a crowd with presence and poise
• Self-driven, results-oriented, and a passion for excellence
• Highly effective communicator through email, phone, video, and in person
• Up to date and passionate about culinary trends in the United States and abroad

Experience/Education:

• 2+ years of sommelier experience 
• Familiarity and confidence with spirits such that a simple Open Bar can be executed for clients
• Bachelor’s degree or certification in a Hospitality related field or equivalent experience
• Ability to lift and move 50+ lbs
• Desire to set your own schedule- a Sommelier can accept as many as 3 events per week if they so choose (Resident’s busiest season is Q2 and Q4 each year, and Sommeliers should expect more opportunities during these time periods).
• Ability to walk, stand, and/or bend continuously and for extended periods as required to perform essential functions 
• Ability to perform essential job functions when working under stress, in fast-paced environments 
• Polished personal presentation: grooming meets Company standards
• Effective communicator in both written (email, Ubeya) and oral forms
• Guest first mentality

Compensation:

• $250 per standard event involving purely wine presentation (each event is ~5 hours of labor)
• $300 per event involving a wine stations and an open bar (each event is ~5.5 hours of labor)
• $500 per event involving specialty wine activations (each event is ~5.5 hours of labor) 

Resident is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legal characteristics.