About Us
Welcome to ilili, the premier institution of Lebanese food culture and hospitality values in the US. Executive Chef and Owner Philippe Massoud has built ilili’s reputation as a culinary go-to destination for elevated Lebanese cuisine. ilili’s restaurants are a vibrant and bustling meeting place where the refinement of neighborhoods meets the generosity of Lebanese hospitality.
As a Sommelier at ilili, you are an ambassador of Lebanese hospitality who provides timely, accurate and friendly service while preparing and serving the highest quality beverages for our guests. You are also responsible for the product and place necessary to facilitate this as well as providing leadership by example to other members of the beverage and Front of House service teams.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to :
- Maintaining and upholding our company's vision and values
- Maintaining a safe, sanitary, organized, and respectful work environment
- Following all company guidelines, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and new policy notices, as well as additional verbal and written directives from management
Service
Preparing and serving wine and other beverages according to company specifications and adherence to local, state, and federal guidelines for serving alcoholic beveragesMaintaining bottles, glasses, tools, and garnishes in a clean, attractive, and functional manner, to support efficient wine service and promotion of beverage salesTaking drink and food orders accurately and immediately entering them into the point-of-sale system before preparing and / or serving the orderGreeting guests promptly and anticipating their needsAssisting in clearing, cleaning, and resetting the bar and lounge for guest readiness as neededPresenting drink and food menus, making recommendations, and answering questions regarding food, beverages, and ilili in generalMaintaining cleanliness in all areas of beverage storage and service, including counters, sinks, utensils, shelves and storage areas, compliant with DOH and ilili standardsGenerating wine bottle sales by maintaining an active presence on the floor during service and engaging with guests as neededStaging private event wines in advance of parties to ensure sufficient quantities of wines are in stock, at the appropriate temperature, and / or decanted as needed to be ready for serviceCommunicating lows and 86s of wines, glassware, and other needs to both the Manager on Duty and Beverage DirectorCultivating regular patrons by learning their names, drink preferences, and developing a rapport with them to make them feel comfortableAccepting guest payment, processing credit card charges and make correct change as neededWashing, sterilizing, and polishing glassware completely and efficientlyTaking part in both pre-service and closing duties, including actively participating in, and at times, leading beverage updates and education at line-up / pre-shiftBeing available to fill in as needed to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the restaurant, as directed by the Beverage Director or another restaurant managerPosition Requirements :
Must be a minimum of 21 years of ageMust practice humility and demonstrate respect for one’s self, work environment, tools, techniques, and co-workers, management, and guestsMust be aware of industry trends in the restaurant and bar industryMust be professional, articulate, friendly, well-groomed and punctualMust be a team-player and work well with othersStrong time management and organization skillsMust be a proactive communicator and fluent in EnglishMust be able to stand for long periods of timeMust have flexibility in availabilityHave working knowledge of beer, wine, and spirits and classic cocktail recipesPossess basic math and technological skills; Proficiency in MS OfficeProven track record of dependability and a passion for delivering hospitality in a high-volume environmentBe able to reach, bend, stoop and frequently lift up to 40 poundsDemonstrating a passion for details and a willingness to learn and be coachedA positive attitude along with excellent communication and interpersonal skillsIdeal Experience & Qualifications :
A minimum of two (2) years of sommelier experience in a high volume, upscale New York City restaurantA bachelor’s degree or higher in a related disciplineA longstanding and ongoing passion for self-study of food, beverage, service, hospitality and drawing on this to lead our team and best serve our guestsA polyglot, particularly with the languages of Spanish, Bengali, Creole, and / or ArabicAs a member of our team, you can expect :
Competitive base hourly rate, plus inclusion in the tip pool when performing guest-facing work during service, pursuant to all applicable labor lawsMedical, dental and vision benefitsPaid time off (PTO)Commuter benefitsDining benefitsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Job training and continuous professional developmentilili Restaurants is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, and local laws.