What skills does a head sommelier need?

A head sommelier needs 24 essential skills including wine characteristics, sparkling wines, types of wine, wine related sciences, select glassware for serving. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace head sommelier jobs?

The AI disruption score for head sommelier is 43/100 (moderate risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Social ServicePersonal service workersISCO 5131

head sommelier

Head sommeliers manage the ordering, preparing and servicing of wine and other related beverages in a hospitality service unit.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (24)

wine characteristicswine characteristicsThe origins and characteristics of international wines.sparkling winessparkling winesThe varieties of sparkling wines and their match with food products.types of winetypes of wineThe large variety of wines, including the different types, regions and special characteristics of each. The process behind the wine such as grape varietals, fermentation procedures and the types of cr...wine related scienceswine related sciencesSciences such as chemistry, biology and microbiology, as well as laboratory skills, where they concern wine.select glassware for servingselect glassware for servingChoose appropriate glassware for beverages and inspect glass quality and cleanliness.coach employeescoach employeesMaintain and improve employees' performance by coaching individuals or groups how to optimise specific methods, skills or abilities, using adapted coaching styles and methods. Tutor newly recruited em...comply with food safety and hygienecomply with food safety and hygieneRespect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.organise wine cellarorganise wine cellarSystematise the wine cellar to ensure an appropriate amount and variation of wine and carry-out efficient and effective stock rotation.upsell productsupsell productsPersuade customers to buy additional or more expensive products.ensure maintenance of kitchen equipmentensure maintenance of kitchen equipmentGuarantee coordination and supervision of cleaning and maintenance of kitchen equipment.check wine qualitycheck wine qualityControl the quality of wines and report corked or spoiled wines and return them to suppliers.procure hospitality productsprocure hospitality productsAcquire goods or services from an outside external source.serve winesserve winesProvide wine using proper techniques in front of the customers. Open the bottle correctly, decant the wine if needed, serve and keep the wine in the proper temperature and container.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requ...plan shifts of employeesplan shifts of employeesPlans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.recommend winesrecommend winesOffer recommendations to customers on available wines and advise combinations of wines with specific dishes on the menu.compile wine listscompile wine listsCreate and update wine lists ensuring it complements the food menu and brand characteristics.monitor work for special eventsmonitor work for special eventsOversee activities during special events taking into account specific objectives, schedule, timetable, agenda, cultural limitations, account rules and legislation.prepare alcoholic beveragesprepare alcoholic beveragesMake and serve alcoholic beverages according to the customer's wants.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...manage stock rotationmanage stock rotationOversee stock levels, paying attention to expiry dates to diminish stock loss.manage medium term objectivesmanage medium term objectivesMonitor medium term schedules with budget estimations and reconciliation on a quarterly basis.

Optional (3)

prepare tablewareprepare tablewareGuarantee that plates, cutlery and glassware are clean, polished and in good condition.handle surveillance equipmenthandle surveillance equipmentMonitor surveillance equipment to observe what people are doing in a given area and ensure their safety.apply foreign languages in hospitalityapply foreign languages in hospitalityUse the mastery of foreign languages orally or written in the hospitality sector in order to communicate with colleagues, customers or guests.