Commis Sommelier

The Dorchester - The Grill; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious hotel in Westminster seeks a Junior Sommelier to assist guests in selecting wines. This role requires a friendly attitude and basic wine knowledge, with opportunities for training and career advancement. The ideal candidate will work closely with the restaurant team to enhance guests' dining experiences. Benefits include complimentary stays at hotel locations, discounts at selected bars and restaurants, and well-being support.

Benefits

Complimentary Stays

50% off food and beverages

Private Pension scheme

Seasonal ticket loan

Career training and apprenticeships

Social events and celebrations

Referral bonus

Well-being support

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of wine or strong interest in learning.
• Experience in a restaurant, bar, or hotel is preferred.
• Confidence in serving guests at a luxury venue.

Responsibilities

• Help guests choose the right wines.
• Work closely with the Sommelier and restaurant team.
• Maintain the wine service area.

Skills

Friendly and helpful attitude

Good communication skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Organised and able to follow instructions

Education

Any wine training or qualifications, such as WSET Level 1

Job description

Join us as a Junior Sommelier at The Grillat The Dorchester, recently recognised as one of ‘The Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work for’ in 2024 and ‘Hotel of the year – London’ at the 2024 AA Hospitality Awards. We continually strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is part of our DNA, reflected in our values of passion, personality, respect, working together, and creativity. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our culture and drives our success.

We care about your career and are proud to have the absolute best people in the industry. When you join us as a Commis Sommelier at The Grillat The Dorchester, you will have a unique opportunity to excel in your field. You will learn from your fellow Legends and our award-winning learning academy to achieve the highest standards in craft, service, and leadership.

What you’ll do

As a Junior Sommelier, you'll enjoy your work and take pride in delighting our guests:

• Help guests choose the right wines to enjoy with their meals.
• Work closely with the Sommelier and the restaurant team.
• Learn about our wine menu and keep your knowledge up‑to‑date.
• Help set up and maintain the wine service area.
• Make sure guests feel welcome and enjoy their experience.

The items shared are the essence of a day in the life of a Junior Sommelier, but we'’ll make sure you are provided with specifics on how we care for our hotel. The operational hours of work are shift‑based and may be subjected to change.

• We are open breakfast, lunch and dinner. The operational hours of work are shift‑based.

What you’ll bring

Essential Skills and Experience

• A friendly and helpful attitude.
• Basic knowledge of wine or a strong interest in learning more about it.
• Good communication skills—you like talking to people.
• Ability to work as part of a team and take direction.
• Organised and able to follow instructions clearly.

Preferred Skills

• Previous experience working in a restaurant, bar, or hotel.
• Any wine training or qualifications, such as WSET Level 1.
• An interest in food and drinks and how they go together.
• Confidence in serving guests at a luxury venue.

What you’ll get

• Complimentary Stays: Enjoy complimentary stays with breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels every year.
• Discounts: Get 50% off food and beverages at selected bars and restaurants within the Dorchester Collection: Enjoy Friends & Family stay discounts out hotels, Benefit from discounts at various high street and online shops
• Employee Perks: Enrol from day 1 into the Aviva Private Pension scheme (we contribute 8% towards your pension); Benefit from Seasonal ticket loan, Rental deposit scheme, private financial advice, and Eye care vouchers.
• Training and Development: Advance in your career by accessing various apprenticeships from Level 2 to Hospitality Degree Level 5. We partner with outstanding nationally recognised Apprenticeship providers.
• Social Events: Participate in vibrant social events, including a summer party, winter ball, pub quizzes, and cultural and milestone recognition celebrations.
• Referral Bonus: Earn a £1000 bonus when you recommend a friend.
• Well-being Support: Access immediate well‑being advice because we care about our employees.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. If you need us to do anything to support you during the recruitment process (such as adjustments to how you apply, alternative formats of information, or adjustments to the assessment process itself), please do call People & Culture team on 02073197011 or email [e-mail] so that we can discuss how we can support you through this process.