Curious to know what different people do all day at their 9-5? We’re investigating job titles and diving deeper into day-to-day tasks to get the low-down on exactly what those roles really entail. Not sure how much to ask for your raise? Wondering what a VP in finance does in the afternoon? We’re uncovering the details behind jobs, along with the salaries and tasks that come with them, to help you figure out what you’re interested in. Below, read about how a woman working in restaurants and hospitality spends her day.
Age: 24
City: New York City
Industry: Restaurants/Hospitality
Job Title: Sommelier
Years of Experience: 3
Salary: $70,000
What does your job title mean?
I deal with all things wine!
What is your morning routine?
I usually wake up on the later side, maybe 10am since I’m usually at work until midnight every day. If I go in earlier, it’s a 7am wake up call to make sure I make it to the gym in the A.M.!
At 9am I am…
Possibly asleep, possibly sweating my booty off at Crossfit, possibly drinking my morning coffee in bed and reading the news.
At 11am I am…
Starting my day if I haven’t already, running errands, making my lunch, socializing. I grab lunch with friends before work since I can’t grab drinks/dinner with friends after work. I essentially have an Opposite Day from the “regular” work force!
What does lunch normally look like for you?
Lunch time is actually around 3:30 for me since it’s my last meal before service starts! Our whole team sits together, catches up on life, geeks out over the latest in the wine world and we discuss any important details for service.
At 1pm I am…
ANY free time I have before work is spent reading about wine. What the latest vintages are like, what the regions are doing, history of wine, specifics on individual producers. I love to tell my guests stories about wine and since we offer almost 50 by the glass and over 200 by the bottle I need to make sure I’m staying up to date on every aspect. From the vineyard, to the wine maker, to when the bottle actually arrives at our restaurant there is SO much that goes into a glass of wine (one of the reasons I love it so much!) and I get some really difficult questions sometimes so it’s important to continue to educate myself. And, of course, when I get those questions I don’t know, time to get back to the books!
At 3pm I am… 
In the cellar, organizing, seeing what needs to be ordered, bringing things up to the floor for service. This is some of my favorite time at work because I get to see everything we have and get familiar with the wine.
At 5pm I am… 
Having a quick espresso and running around the dining room, service has started and I’m BUSY!
When does a workday end for you? 
I leave work anywhere from 10pm to 1am, depending on the day and how busy we are.
What do you do after work?
After work I’m heading home, usually exhausted from being on my feet all night!
What do you do before bed?
I try to go to bed within the hour of getting home–but I have a strict, yet simple skincare routine and I love to mask multiple times a week with a tea. It’s an easy way for me to feel good before bed and like I’m treating myself. Then I like to turn on a quiet movie while I drift to sleep, even though I know I shouldn’t!
Is there anything about your job you’d like people to know?
I think the most common misconception about my profession is that you have to go to school or take exams in order to become a sommelier. You don’t! I always get asked “what level are you” and while I personally have taken exams, it is not necessary. What is necessary is having a vast and specific knowledge of wine and what you have to offer and of course to ALWAYS be studying and reading and tasting and learning! Some of the best sommeliers in the world (the ones who have won competitions worldwide, and yes we have competitions!) have no pins and no exams under their belt. The best thing I can say is that the sommelier who comes to you and asks if they can help is truly only there to enhance your experience. We want to help you, even if it’s with a less expensive wine or wines by the glass because we want to make sure you leave happy and satisfied. I love to help people make their nights special, no matter the occasion! Happy wine drinking!
 
 
 
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