Front of House Lead & Sommelier

3 years

FOH Lead - Vendador Private Dining

Who We Are:

Vendador is a luxury private dining company located in Chicago, Illinois. We offer an exclusive culinary experience that transcends the traditional restaurant setting, with tailor-made tasting menus that redefine special events catering. We're a moveable feast, an intimate gourmet journey that can materialize anywhere. Founded in 2021 by Chef Francis Pascal, our mission is to curate joyous core memories by importing an entire fine dining ecosystem to clients.

Dinner parties range vastly in size, but average guest count is 8-25 with 6-10 courses. We curate events up to 200 guests with 3 to 7 events per week. Our team consists of highly experienced and passionate hospitality professionals who have worked in premier Chicago establishments including Alinea, Roister, Boka, Smyth, Oriole, Valhalla, The Loyalist, Momotaro, and more.

The Role :

We are seeking a full-time FOH Lead & Sommelier to join our service leadership team. This is a salaried position requiring attendance at all events, operational and administrative support on non event days, with Tuesday-Saturday schedule. Sundays and Mondays off.

Schedule Flexibility during non-event days

As the FOH Lead, you will be responsible for elevating the service experience while bringing a passion and knowledge of wine to enhance our culinary offerings.

Responsibilities:

Service

- Serve as FOH Lead at all dinners (average 2-3 per week, or up to 5)

- Lead server team, elevating their performance

- Create genuine connections with guests, making them feel comfortable, valued, and excited

- Coordinate seamless service timing with kitchen team to maintain proper flow of multi-course tasting menus

- Deliver a culture of passionate hospitality to guests and team members. Live our values of going above and beyond, devotion to the craft and team, and adaptability

Wine & Beverage Support

- Develop and execute wine pairings for tasting menus, sometimes on the spot from the Clients cellar before dinner

- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of wine offerings and communicate pairings with guests

- Manage small in-house beverage inventory and ordering

Operations Support

- Oversee liquor, wine, and beverage inventory and ordering

- Create and implement effective packlists for weekly events

- Attend weekly event planning meetings with management team

- Oversee Homebase system for staff time sheets

- Staff all events with appropriate service team members

- Send detailed event information emails to team members weekly

Who You Are:

The ideal candidate will have:

- Sommelier certification (Level 1 or 2 minimum)

- 3+ years experience in fine dining environments

- Wine knowledge and passion for food and wine pairings

- Strong leadership skills and positivity to motivate service team

- Impeccable attention to detail and commitment to service excellence

- Charismatic personality with confidence speaking to guests in intimate environments

- Strong organizational and inventory management skills

- Reliable personal transportation with valid driver's license (required for transporting items)

- Ability to lift and carry heavy objects during event setup and breakdown

- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Set Schedule TBD: due to the nature of private events, your schedule will vary on a weekly basis. When we only have 2 events, you will work more administratively (WFH and inventory on site), and collaborate with our management team for operational support. On weeks with more events, you will work less admin. Guaranteed two days off per week, Sunday and Monday.

Must-Have Requirements:

- Personal vehicle for transportation to events and occasional inventory pickups

- Sommelier certification

- Availability for all scheduled events, Tuesday-Saturday, evenings

- FOH leadership experience

What We Offer:

- An unparalleled opportunity to use your skills in an intimate dining environment. Instead of 500 covers a night in a restaurant, our passionate and small team curate small dinner parties with heart and expertise. We hustle hard, but its different. We see it as running a 10 top with fellow hospitality-obsessed artists in luxurious private homes and venues, with clients who become life long friends. Sometimes its a 2 person anniversary dinner, sometimes a 16 person elopement party, a 30 person YPO meeting or a 60 person garden party with passed apps.

-Salary: $50,000 with tiered performance-based compensation growth plan for the first year, based on experience and qualifications.

- The opportunity to help define a growing luxury dining brand

- Work alongside Michelin-trained professionals committed to culinary and service excellence, outside a restaurant

- A collaborative and dynamic team environment

- Growth potential as our company and team rapidly expands

- Schedule Flexibility during non-event days

Application Process:

If you are a dedicated hospitality professional with a passion for wine and fine dining leadership, we invite you to apply. Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and wine knowledge.

Vendador Private Dining is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Join Vendador and be part of creating extraordinary dining experiences while advancing your career in the intersection of fine dining and wine expertise!

Compensation: Salary ($50,000.00)

Experience in Casual Fine Dining to Ultra Fine Dining Environments

Exceptional customer service skills

Flexibility

Ability to Create a Welcoming Atmosphere

Excellent Communication Skills

Team Management and Development Skills

commitment

Effective Communication Skills

Ability to Drive Oneself to and From Events

Problem Solving Skills

Positive Attitude

Adaptability to Changing Schedules

Flexibility to Work Daytimes, Evenings, Weekends, and Holidays

Event Planning and Coordination Skills

Teamwork

Attention to Guest Preferences

Detail Oriented

Customer Service Orientation

Time Management Skills

High Standards of Cleanliness and Presentation

Creativity in Menu and Wine Pairing Development

Problem Solving

Collaboration With Kitchen Staff

Passion for hospitality

Ability to Maintain Composure in High Stress Situations

Adaptability to Different Environments

Networking Skills With Clients

Ability to lift and carry heavy objects

Event Coordination

Team Player

Time Management

Interpersonal Skills

Reliability

Proactive Service

Adaptability

Collaboration

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Service Timeline Management

Culinary Knowledge

Wine Service

Experience in High End Dining

Canape Service

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