Head Mixologist

Belmond; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & benefits

Loyalty & recognition rewards

Employee Assistance & Wellness

Job summary

Mount Nelson, a Belmond property, seeks a Head Mixologist to lead our Bar team in delivering exceptional, personalized cocktails for a luxury guest experience.

You will work with premium spirits and locally sourced ingredients, crafting exclusive drinks tailored to guest preferences while training staff and driving menu innovation. This role emphasizes high standards, upselling, and collaboration with the Outlet Manager.

Qualifications

• Professional knowledge of cocktails, ingredients, and flavor profiles.
• Strong guest engagement and upselling skills.
• Ability to tailor cocktails to guest preferences.
• Responsible alcohol service certification or license where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Delight guests with trend-setting and innovative cocktails and assist in maximizing bar revenue.
• Drive cocktail menu changes to keep offerings fresh and seasonal.
• Use high quality spirits, liqueurs, fruits, vegetables, and spices to craft exceptional drinks.
• Share knowledge of spirits, history, flavor profiles with guests and team.
• Collaborate with Outlet Manager to ensure smooth bar and restaurant operations.
• Train bartenders on beverage pouring, cocktail mixing, and upselling.
• Maintain complete knowledge of menu items, ingredients and preparation.
• Ensure service details meet Mount Nelson standards and guest expectations.
• Coach staff to improve beverage knowledge and service levels.
• Assist with beverage procurement and costing, and ensure bar stocked with essentials.

Skills

Mixology expertise

Guest engagement

Attention to detail

Knowledge of spirits

Job description

As a Head Mixologist, your creative flair and passion for beverage will lead your Bar team to superior beverage experiences for our guests. In this role, you'll work with a range of premium spirits, locally sourced ingredients, and unique flavours to craft exceptional and exclusive cocktails. You'll engage with guests, understand their preferences, and create customized cocktails tailored to their tastes. This level of attention and personalized service adds a special touch to the guest experience and contributes to the overall luxury atmosphere. If you're looking to develop your skills and be part of the future of luxury, this is your moment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Delight the guest by offering trend setting and innovative products and services, contribute to sales activities and assist in maximizing revenue
• Drive cocktail menu changes to ensure fresh, innovative and seasonally accurate cocktails are available on the menu
• Using high quality spirits, liqueurs, fruits, vegetables, and spices to create extraordinary drinks
• Maintain a thorough understanding of every type of spirit, with the ability to share their flavor, the alcohol's history, and the overall taste and composition
• Work in partnership with the Outlet Manager to execute the smooth and flawless operation of the Bar and Restaurant
• Conduct training sessions on beverage pouring practice, cocktail mixing, bottle flaring and up-selling
• Complete all Bartender duties when necessary
• Develop a complete working knowledge of the menu items and their ingredients and preparation
• Ensure that all details of service are performed by the bartenders to expected standards and that every guest receives the highest quality of service in line Company standards
• Train bartenders and service team to ensure beverage knowledge and service levels are to standard
• Assist with beverage procurement and beverage costing
• Ensure that the assigned bar area is fully equipped with the necessary equipment and products needed for mixing beverages and serving guests. This includes stocking of all beer, wine, spirits, paper products, straws and stirrers, condiments and produce
• Staying up to date with the food and beverage offerings on the menu, to assist guests with any queries and recommendations.

Requirements

What You Bring

• Possesses a responsible alcohol service certification or license depending on the jurisdiction and local regulations
• Strong knowledge of mixology, cocktail recipes, and different types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Ability to engage with guests, understand their preferences, make recommendations, and provide a positive experience
• Attention to detail to ensure accurate measurements, proper presentation, and adherence to recipes

Benefits

What We Offer

At Mount Nelson, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture built on kindness, active listening, and genuine connections with our colleagues and guests. We offer a comprehensive range of compensation, perks and benefits including:

• Competitive basic salary and benefits
• Loyalty and recognition rewards programs
• Employee Assistance & Wellness programs

We strive to create an environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. With a commitment to your ongoing development, you'll have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside some of the most talented individuals in the industry. Join us and be part of creating unforgettable moments for our guests, communities, and each other.