Wine Director at Boia De

Be patient and do the work, no task is too small. I see many younger industry professionals chasing titles instead of putting in the time. There's a reason you work from the bottom up and not the other way around. Like an artist going to school: learn the rules so you know how to break them and make them better.

Detach yourself from your ego and remain as flexible as possible. Folks mistake rigidity for strength; I would argue that resilience is more important.

When hiring, I look for a willingness to learn, humility, and openness. I can train for the skill, I can't train for the attitude.

I get inspiration through others. Whether it's guests telling me stories about their latest travels, a viticulturist sharing the latest advancements, or a staff member bringing a bottle to share from a tasting. There's always something new to learn.

I have about 18 different hobbies: knitting, sewing, cooking, piano, thrifting, theatre, ballet, reading, logic puzzles. Anything to engage my mind outside of the same context offers much-needed meditation. I come back to work much more engaged.

People stay motivated when they are cared for, when they feel safe enough to open up. Some may be motivated by competition, but in a town like Miami where the hospitality pool is surprisingly small and tight-knit, competition is less relevant. Community is so much more impactful.

Don't try to fit into some narrow box of what your current employer thinks you should be; that's just one person's opinion. If you are giving it your best shot, staying humble and open and it's still not clicking, find somewhere that it will.

The sooner we all let our egos go, the happier we'll be. It's only wine at the end of the day; it's meant to be shared!

Achieving Michelin Florida's Sommelier of the Year 2024 could not have happened without the team at Boia De; everyone from ownership (Chefs Luciana and Alex), the CDC (Chef Ilaria), FOH (Beth, Tamar, Freddy, Blake, Shawn, Lucy, Walter and so many more). They made it all happen through their trust, dedication, support, and hard work.