Bartender

Sommelier  - Rucola Restaurant, The Conduit

Set in the heart of Covent Garden, The Conduit serves as a home for people passionate about achieving positive social, environmental, and economic change.

Join the vibrant pre-opening team of Rucola, a revolutionaryfarm-to-plate, zero-waste restaurant concept located on the 5th floor of TheConduit Club in Covent Garden. Rucola is committed to offering an exceptionaldining experience that celebrates sustainability, seasonality, andcraftsmanship. We are currently seeking a skilled and passionate to be a partof the team and an advocate of our wine program assisting our members andguests in their wine choices while also supporting the rest of the team to ensurea seamless exceptional experience.

As the sommelier you will be expected to be an integral partof the team assisting your colleagues with other duties to ensure theMember/guest experience is the priority.

Key Responsibilities:

Pairing and Recommendations:

• Collaborate closely with the culinary team to develop winepairing suggestions for the menu, considering flavour profiles, ingredients,and cooking techniques.
• Provide personalized wine recommendations to guests,enhancing their dining experience and promoting wine education.
• Stay informed about the latest developments and trends inthe wine industry to offer informed and up-to-date recommendations.
• Staff Training and Education:
• Conduct training sessions for restaurant staff to enhancetheir knowledge of wine, including grape varieties, regions, and servingtechniques.
• Foster a culture of hospitality and professionalism amongthe service team, ensuring they deliver exceptional wine service to guests.

Cellar Management :

• Oversee the organization and maintenance of the restaurant'swine cellar, ensuring proper storage conditions and inventory management.
• Implement procedures for stock rotation, labelling, andrecording of wine purchases and sales.
• Monitor inventory levels and assist in developing strategiesto optimize wine sales and minimize waste.

Customer Engagement:

• Interact with guests to understand their preferences andtailor wine recommendations to suit their tastes and preferences.
• Host wine tasting events, wine dinners, and otherpromotional activities to engage with club members and attract new clientele.
• Act as a brand ambassador for Rucola, promoting therestaurant's commitment to sustainability and excellence in wine service.

Equipment

• Take responsibility for maintaining any equipment under hispurview
• Report any breakages/shortage in a timely manner
• Keeping Wine Menus tidy and clean and reporting anyshortages/damage to the HOD.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven experience as a sommelier in a high-end restaurant orhospitality establishment.
• Extensive knowledge of wine regions, grape varieties, andwinemaking techniques.
• Strong palate and ability to discern nuanced flavours andaromas.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with theability to engage with guests and inspire enthusiasm for wine.
• Certification from recognized wine education programs (e.g.,Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine & Spirit Education Trust) preferred.
• A passion for sustainability and a commitment to promotingenvironmentally responsible practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamicenvironment and contribute to the success of the pre-opening team.

 We strive to be a company that is inclusive, where everyone, from any background, can be happy at work. As part of our team, you can enjoy a wide range of benefits:

• We are closed on Sundays
• 28 days annual leave +1 extra day each year for long service (up to a maximum of +5)
• +1 extra day off to celebrate your birthday and a complimentary birthday meal for 2
• +1 extra day off each year to volunteer at a charitable organisation of your choice
• Refer a Friend bonus of up to £500
• Access to 150 member-only thought-leadership events per year
• Healthy meals on duty
• 33% dining discount for up to 4 once a month
• Local discounts in and around Covent Garden, including restaurants, fashion, beauty and  perks for food, and opticians, and many other businesses across the local area
• Development and progression through Conduit Careers including e-learning programmes

Regardless of whether your experience is relevant to every one of the above points, if the Conduit and our ethos resonate with you,