Gabriela de Nóbrega Marques

Maître d' & Head Sommelier | Michelin-Starred Fine Dining Expert
Lisboa, PT.

About

Highly accomplished and certified Maître d' and Head Sommelier with over 20 years of progressive experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels. Proven expertise in designing and managing extensive wine programs, leading high-performance service teams, and delivering unparalleled guest experiences. Adept at optimizing operational efficiency, enhancing service standards, and driving revenue growth through strategic wine list curation and staff development in prestigious fine dining environments.

Work

Loco Restaurant by Chef Alexandre Silva - 1 Michelin Star
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Maître d' & Head Sommelier

Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Currently leading front-of-house operations and comprehensive wine service, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence in a Michelin-starred environment.

Highlights

Created and implemented sophisticated wine service standards, supervising and training staff to deliver the highest possible service standards for a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Managed all logistic details, including complex reservations and seating arrangements, ensuring seamless guest flow and optimal dining experiences.

Directed and managed waitstaff to ensure efficient, excellent service throughout each seating, resolving customer complaints and disputes to maintain high satisfaction.

Maintained and updated dynamic seating charts, coordinated with kitchen and serving staff, and responded to guest requests regarding food allergies and dietary restrictions.

Guided opening and closing procedures in cooperation with the chef and back-of-house manager, contributing to efficient restaurant operations.

Marlene Vieira, Lda.
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Head Sommelier

Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Directed the wine program and provided strategic support for restaurant events, ensuring high service standards and cost control for a Michelin Guide restaurant.

Highlights

Developed and implemented comprehensive wine service standards, supervising and training staff across multiple restaurant venues, including ZunZum Bib Gourmand and Restaurante Marlene.

Managed and supported high-profile restaurant events, serving as a wine consultant for Mercado da Ribeira Time Out Outlet, enhancing brand visibility and guest experience.

Curated and presented diverse wine and champagne selections, expertly pairing wines with menus and responding to guest inquiries regarding origin, vintage, and style.

Cultivated strong relationships with vendors and producers, negotiating quotations for wine acquisitions and glassware, ensuring appropriate quality and storage while achieving budget levels.

Conducted period inventories to maintain wine sales control and ensure percentage costs were at or below budget levels, managing overall stock rotations from outlets and the main warehouse.

Marlene Vieira, Lda.
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Sommelier

Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Contributed to the pre-opening phase and ongoing wine service, curating a unique wine list and ensuring exceptional guest experiences for a Michelin Guide restaurant.

Highlights

Collaborated with the Chef and Operations Director during the March 2022 pre-opening, selecting and negotiating optimal deals for wine storage equipment, glassware, and curated sponsorships.

Designed and curated a unique list of 80 selected national wines, aligning with the restaurant's fine dining concept to offer an exclusive guest experience.

Executed precise wine and champagne service, opening bottles according to temperature and glassware, and providing expert recommendations for menu pairings.

Managed vendor relationships and attended wine tastings to negotiate acquisitions, ensuring appropriate quality, storage, and replenishment of wines while maintaining budget levels.

Secured all liquors, beers, wines, and coolers, ensuring compliance with state and local laws for alcohol service and managing stock rotations effectively.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
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Sommelier

Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Managed wine programs and delivered expert service across multiple Michelin-starred restaurants within a luxury hotel, enhancing guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Highlights

Collaborated with F&B Director during the 2019-2020 pre-opening of Cura, negotiating deals for wine storage, glassware, and curated sponsorships for a 1 Michelin Star restaurant.

Designed and curated a unique 160-selection national wine list for Cura, aligning with its fine dining concept to elevate the guest experience.

Designed and maintained a 350-400 reference wine list for Restaurante Varanda do Ritz, a Michelin Guide restaurant, showcasing extensive knowledge of global wines.

Developed and implemented wine promotions and incentive programs, including In-Room VIP Amenities and mini-bar offers, increasing wine sales and guest engagement.

Conducted staff wine tastings, training, and mentorship, fostering a knowledgeable and skilled team while managing inventory and ensuring compliance with alcohol service laws.

Penha Longa Resort - a Ritz-Carlton Hotel
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Sommelier

Sintra, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Managed an extensive wine cellar and provided expert wine service, enhancing the dining experience for a Michelin-starred restaurant within a luxury resort.

Highlights

Curated and maintained a 650-reference wine cellar for LAB by Sergi Arola, a 1 Michelin Star restaurant, ensuring diverse and high-quality selections.

Provided expert wine and champagne service, responding to guest inquiries regarding origin, vintage, and style to enhance their dining experience.

Attended wine tastings and developed relationships with vendors, ensuring appropriate quality, storage, and replenishment of wines while managing inventory to control costs.

Designed and implemented wine promotions and incentive programs, contributing to increased wine sales and guest satisfaction.

Conducted staff wine tastings and collaborated with Executive Chefs to create dinner and event menus with precise wine matches, elevating culinary offerings.

Altis Belém Hotel & SPA
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Server

Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Delivered high-quality service and managed events in a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Highlights

Provided high-quality service in alignment with Michelin Star experience standards, ensuring an impeccable dining atmosphere for guests.

Coordinated timing between courses with the Chef and effectively communicated customer allergies and dietary needs to kitchen staff, ensuring precise service.

Managed dedicated event setups and mise-en-place, contributing to seamless execution of special occasions and private functions.

Oversaw reservations and seating management, optimizing table turnover and guest flow for peak efficiency.

Prepared beverages and cocktails to exacting standards, and provided crucial aid to Sommelier service, enhancing the overall beverage program.

Corinthia Hotel Lisbon
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Assistant Restaurant Manager

Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Managed and coordinated restaurant teams, overseeing operations, staff training, and guest satisfaction to uphold high service standards.

Highlights

Coordinated breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurant teams, reviewing BEOs and service standards to ensure comprehensive knowledge of requirements.

Supervised, trained, and managed waiters, waitresses, and wine stewards, conducting training sessions on all aspects of service outlined in the restaurant operation manual.

Ensured adherence to company rules and regulations regarding uniforms, personal appearance, and hygiene through individual check-in processes.

Conducted regular inventories and spot checks of outlets, managing equipment usage and par levels to prevent breakage and maintain operational efficiency.

Anticipated and fulfilled guest needs, addressing special occasion arrangements, and ensuring compliance with HACCP standards to maintain a pleasant dining experience.

Tempus Bar Lounge
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Bartender/ Server

Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Summary

Prepared beverages, managed bar inventory, and provided attentive service to customers, ensuring a positive experience.

Highlights

Prepared a wide range of beverages and cocktails to established standards, ensuring consistent quality and presentation.

Managed bar inventory, including restocking and replenishing supplies, to ensure continuous service availability.

Assessed bar customers' needs and preferences, making informed recommendations to enhance their experience.

Collaborated with restaurant service, interacting with customers, taking orders, and serving snacks and drinks efficiently.

Processed customer bills and payments accurately, balancing transactions at the end of each shift.

Education

Court of Master Sommeliers
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Certified Sommelier

Wine and Beverage Service

WSET
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Level 3 - Award in Wines

Wines

Courses

Key factors in wine production (location, grape growing, winemaking, maturation, bottling)

Influence of key factors on principal still wines, sparkling wines, and fortified wines of the world

Applying understanding to explain wine style and quality

Wine tasting, description, evaluation using WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine (SAT)

WSET
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Level 2 - Award in Wine and Spirits

Wine and Spirits

Courses

Major grape varieties and important regions defining world's key wines

Production, key labelling, terminology, and major classifications

Wine making process and influencing factors

Characteristics of key white and black grape varieties

Important wine-producing regions of the world

Production of sparkling, sweet and fortified wines

Label terminology

Food and wine pairings

Principal categories of spirits and liqueurs

Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo de Lisboa
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Sommelier

Hospitality

Courses

Eno gastronomy and wine tasting

Food and Beverage control

Local and international wine knowledge

Oenology

Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo de Lisboa
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Continuous Training Program

Restaurant and Bar Service

Courses

Bar service

Beverage and cocktails production and service

Banquet / Catering coordinator

HACCP

Escola de Formação Profissional para o Sector Alimentar da Pontinha
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal

Food Sector Training

Courses

Live cooking service course

HACCP course

Wine service course

Escola Secundária Josefa de Óbidos
Óbidos, Portugal, Portugal

High School Certificate

Information Technology, Media, and Communication Studies

Courses

Agrupamento 4 - Curso Tecnológico de Comunicação e Difusão

Awards

Special Sommelier Award

Awarded By

Paixão pelo Vinho

Received a special award for exceptional contributions and passion in the field of wine.

Nominee Sommelier of the Year

Awarded By

Mesa Marcada Blog

Nominated for Sommelier of the Year, recognizing significant contributions to the industry.

Sommelier/ Wine Director of the Year

Awarded By

Revista de Vinhos

Named Sommelier/Wine Director of the Year, acknowledging leadership and expertise in wine program management.

Prix Au Sommelier

Awarded By

Academie Internationale de la Gastronomie

Recognized by the International Academy of Gastronomy for outstanding sommelier expertise.

Best Wine List and Wine Service

Awarded By

Revista de Vinhos & Vinalda

Awarded for curating an exceptional wine list and delivering superior wine service.

Languages

Portuguese
English
Spanish
French

Skills

Wine Expertise

Wine Service Standards, Wine List Development, Wine Pairing, Wine Acquisitions, Wine Storage, Wine Inventory Management, Wine Tastings, Oenology, Champagne Service, Fortified Wines, Sparkling Wines, Global Wine Knowledge, WSET Level 3, Certified Sommelier (CMS).

Restaurant Operations & Management

Maître d' Operations, Front-of-House Management, Staff Training & Development, Team Leadership, Service Standards Implementation, Reservations Management, Seating Management, Restaurant Opening/Closing, HACCP Implementation, MICROS System, Inventory Control, Cost Management, Event Coordination, Banquet/Catering Coordination, Menu Development Collaboration.

Customer Service & Relations

Guest Relations, Fine Dining Service, Customer Complaint Resolution, Dining Preferences Ascertainment, Dietary Restrictions Management, Proactive Guest Anticipation, Memorable Dining Experiences, Stakeholder Management.

Business Development & Strategy

Vendor & Producer Relationship Management, Negotiation (Wine, Equipment, Sponsorships), Promotions & Incentive Programs, Social Media Promotion, Infoproducer, Virtual Assistant (F&B subjects), Quality of Service Assessment, Strategic Planning.

Leadership & Soft Skills

Critical Thinking, Proactive Attitude, Reliability, Fast Learning, Flexibility, Time Management, Mentorship, Empathy, Guest-Oriented, Organizational Skills, Interpersonal Communication, Communication Skills (Written & Oral).

Beverage & Bar Management

Beverage Preparation, Cocktail Production, Bar Inventory Management, Drink Recipe Creation, Cash Handling, Spill Sheet Management.