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
|Maître d' & Head Sommelier
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal
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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.
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal
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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.
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal
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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.
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal
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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.
Sintra, Portugal, Portugal
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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.
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal
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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.
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal
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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.
Lisboa, Portugal, Portugal
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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
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Certified Sommelier
Wine and Beverage Service
WSET
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Food Sector Training
Courses
Live cooking service course
HACCP course
Wine service course
Escola Secundária Josefa de Óbidos
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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.