Job Description

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.

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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

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The Group

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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:

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Bar Copains (Surry Hills):

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Bessies (Surry Hills):

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Alma's (Surry Hills):

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Vin-Cenzo's (Darlinghurst):

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La Buvette (Potts Point):

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The Role

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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.

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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.

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Key Responsibilities

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Leading service on the floor — setting the standard for wine hospitality at Bessies and building genuine, lasting relationships with guests

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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

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Managing wine and beverage stock with discipline — ordering, receiving, rotation, storage, and accurate monthly stocktakes

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Building and nurturing supplier and producer relationships — attending tastings, negotiating allocations, and staying at the forefront of what's engaging and available

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Taking ownership of wine and beverage training — developing a team that is genuinely knowledgeable, confident, and enthusiastic about what's in the glass

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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

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Who We're Looking For

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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.

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You'll bring:

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Deep wine knowledge and a genuine, infectious passion for the craft

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Proven floor leadership — a natural presence in service who brings the best out of a team

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Experience in wine list curation and menu development at well-regarded venues

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Strong supplier and producer relationships, with an active finger on the pulse of what's exciting

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Financial literacy — comfortable with stock management, cost of goods, and beverage reporting

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Experience delivering team training and fostering a culture of continuous learning

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A warm, collaborative approach to working within a venue leadership team

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WSET or CMS certification highly regarded

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What's In It For You

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Opportunity to drive and shape the wine programme in a hatted restaurant

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Mentorship and collaboration with a Group Sommelier invested in your growth

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Career development supported across a growing, ambitious portfolio

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Generous staff discount across all group venues

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Discounted membership to fitness partners (gym, yoga, pilates, spin)

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A collaborative, people-first team culture

📌 Head Sommelier - Bessie's (New South Wales)
🏢 The Goodies
📍 New South Wales