Sommelier

Vendador Luxury Private Dining | Chicago, IL
Part-Time • 2-3 Events Per Week • Evening Shifts

This is an ideal supplemental income position for a wine-passionate professional who already has a primary job and is looking to pick up premium event shifts during free evenings. We're seeking someone who loves wine, enjoys intimate luxury hospitality settings, and wants to work special events rather than traditional restaurant service.

Imagine exploring a private wine cellar, and hand-selecting bottles to pair with a Michelin-trained chef's tasting menu. You'll share stories about each wine throughout service and preferably have experience and interest making cocktails as well, as we like to do comprehensive beverage parings of all kinds. You will work closely with Chef and the Vendador team, and support service from start to finish. This is a hybrid role requiring passion for food, bartending, and hospiality beyond wine-only responsibilities.

Schedule:

• Average 2-4 events per week (variable)
• Primarily Wednesday-Sunday evenings, ~6-8 hours per event (includes set up and break down)
• Schedule provided 1-4 weeks in advance
• Flexible around your primary job commitments
• Event guest count ranges from 2 to 25 on average.

Vendador is Chicago's premier luxury private dining company. Founded in 2021 by Chef Francis Pascal, we deliver high end Michelin-trained culinary experiences in clients' homes and private venues throughout Chicagoland. All menus are personalized and all experiences require heightened levels of genuine hospitality, charisma, and impeccable attention to detail.

You'll curate wine pairings from clients' personal cellars and/or from our collectoin, and present tasting notes during service, and provide full table service for multi-course tasting menus. This is NOT wine-only service—you must be comfortable serving food and wine, ideally can also bartend as needed, but your primary value is wine expertise and guest engagement. We require charismatic and passionate individuals who are confident speaking in front of clients in their homes.

Wine Expertise:

• Wine certification strongly preferred (CMS Certified, WSET Level 3+, or equivalent. Will consider WSET Level 2 if paired with several years of fine dining service experience).
• Ability to navigate private wine cellars and create thoughtful pairings
• Confident presenting wines with engaging storytelling and tasting notes on the fly
• Experience with fine wines, diverse regions, and rare bottles
• Craft cocktail skills are a bonus but not required

Service Experience:

• 2+ years fine dining service experience
• Comfortable serving multi-course tasting menus in clients' homes
• Impeccable table service technique and etiquette

Personal Attributes:

• Charismatic and conversational—you make clients feel like friends
• Confident speaking at the table in intimate settings
• Professional discretion in clients' homes
• Flexible and reliable with variable scheduling
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation (events throughout Chicagoland)

Pre-Service (1-2 hours before dinner):

• Unload plates and glassware, support FOH team in set up
• Explore client's wine cellar and select pairings for the tasting menu
• Consider menu components, client preferences, and occasion
• Prepare wines for service (decanting, temperature, glassware)

During Service (3-5 hours):

• Present each wine pairing with engaging tasting notes and stories
• Execute refined table service for multi-course tasting menus
• Coordinate timing with kitchen team for seamless progression
• Manage wine pours, maintain glassware, and anticipate guest needs
• Serve cocktails, aperitifs, or digestifs as requested

Post-Service:

• Assist with breakdown and cleaning kitchen
• Communicate client preferences or notes to team

• Private homes and event venues throughout Chicago and suburbs
• Primarily Thursday-Sunday evenings (4pm-11pm window)
• Must drive to various locations
• Stand and move 6-8 hours per event; lift up to 50 pounds

• Competitive event-based compensation
• Work with exceptional wine collections in luxury homes
• Intimate team culture where you're valued
• Flexible scheduling around your primary job
• Professional development through diverse wine experiences

• Going Above and Beyond – Exceed expectations in every interaction
• Devotion – Deep commitment to craft, clients, and team
• Integrity – Honesty and unwavering ethical standards
• Humility – Openness to learning and genuine respect for others

Submit your resume and brief cover letter addressing:

• Your wine certifications and passion for wine
• Why you're seeking supplemental event work
• Your typical weekly availability
• Why Vendador's intimate model appeals to you
• Do you have a car? If not, are you able to reliably get yourself to and from events?

Optional: Share a favorite wine memory or recent wine that excited you.
For quicker attention, please email Erinn at [email protected].

Vendador is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.