Head Sommelier — Bessie's & Alma's

Bessies is a one-hatted Mediterranean wood fire restaurant and cocktail bar in Surry Hills, built around Food, Fire + Friends. It is a place of genuine warmth — where the flames of the wood fire set the rhythm of the kitchen, and the wine list tells a story with as much intention as the food. Guests come for the experience and leave as regulars. We now have the opportunity for a new Head Sommelier to join the restaurant at an exciting time for growth for the group, and take control of the wine programme at Bessie's & Alma's The Group The Goodies is a growing hospitality group founded by Nathan & Sali Sasi and Morgan McGlone, known for their commitment to thoughtful food, generous, warm service, and neighbourhood-driven hospitality. With our latest venue La Buvette having tremendous success, we are looking for great people and leaders to come and join The Goodies. Current venues include:

- Bar Copains (Surry Hills): A one-hatted, friendly neighbourhood wine bar.
- Bessies (Surry Hills): A one-hatted, Mediterranean wood fire restaurant.
- Alma's (Surry Hills): A cocktail bar within Bessies.
- Vin-Cenzo's (Darlinghurst): A two-hatted, European - Italian leaning restaurant
- La Buvette (Potts Point): Our newest venue, inspired by the intimate lived in wine bars of Paris

The Role The Head Sommelier at Bessie's & Alma's is one of the most exciting roles in our group. You are the custodian of the wine experience: present on the floor, building real relationships with guests, curating a list that reflects the soul of the venue, and developing a team that shares your passion.



Reporting to the Venue Manager & Group Sommelier, you also operate as a key member of the Bessies leadership team — contributing to the commercial success of the business, owning supplier relationships, and driving wine events that make Bessies a genuine destination for wine lovers.

Key Responsibilities

- Leading service on the floor — setting the standard for wine hospitality at Bessies and building genuine, lasting relationships with guests
- Owning the Bessies wine list — curating a selection that is thoughtful, exciting, and true to the spirit of the venue, developed in collaboration with the Group Sommelier
- Managing wine and beverage stock with discipline — ordering, receiving, rotation, storage, and accurate monthly stocktakes
- Building and nurturing supplier and producer relationships — attending tastings, negotiating allocations, and staying at the forefront of what's interesting and available
- Taking ownership of wine and beverage training — developing a team that is genuinely knowledgeable, confident, and enthusiastic about what's in the glass
- Contributing to the Bessies leadership team — working alongside the Venue Manager and Group Sommelier on commercial performance, events,



and the broader culture of the venue

Who We're Looking For You are as comfortable on the floor connecting with guests as you are behind the scenes building a list, managing stock, or running a training session. You lead with warmth, speak about wine with genuine conviction, and understand that great hospitality and great wine are inseparable.

You'll bring:

- Deep wine knowledge and a genuine, infectious passion for the craft
- Proven floor leadership — a natural presence in service who brings the best out of a team
- Experience in wine list curation and menu development at well-regarded venues
- Strong supplier and producer relationships, with an active finger on the pulse of what's exciting
- Financial literacy — comfortable with stock management, cost of goods, and beverage reporting
- Experience delivering team training and fostering a culture of continuous learning
- A warm, collaborative approach to working within a venue leadership team
- WSET or CMS certification highly regarded

What's In It For You

- Opportunity to drive and shape the wine programme in a hatted restaurant
- Mentorship and collaboration with a Group Sommelier invested in your growth
- Career development supported across a growing, ambitious portfolio
- Generous staff discount across all group venues
- Discounted membership to fitness partners (gym, yoga, pilates, spin)
- Excellent tips
- A team-oriented, people-first team culture

How To Apply Please apply with a resume and a cover letter telling us what makes you and this role a great fit

📌 Head Sommelier - Bessie's (Surry Hills)
🏢 The Goodies
📍 Surry Hills