Restaurant Information
Chambers, recently placed at #29 New York City’s Top 100 Restaurants by the New York Times and a 2026 James Beard Award Finalist for Outstanding Beverage Program, opened in June of 2022, was added to the Michelin Guide that very year and was also the recipient of a glowing NY Times Review.
Our menu from Chef Jon Karis (formerly of Gramercy Tavern) showcases the best of seasonal New York City cooking, with a frequently changing menu (alongside a few staples) that is as meticulously prepared as it is
craveable. Our exploratory beverage collection of soulful wines, spirits and fermented beverages built by Beverage Director and world-renowned sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier (formerly of Racines NY and Rouge Tomate) is both world-class and approachable. We are deeply committed to creating an atmosphere that puts the comfort and pleasure of the diner’s experience at the forefront, with service led by General Manager Jared David (formerly of Racines NY and Babbo).
Position details
The sommelier’s responsibilities include but aren’t limited to the selling of wine on the restaurant floor, maintaining the standards of the restaurant, assisting the other FOH positions when necessary, and working with the beverage director and the head-sommlier to maintain the quality of the beverage program. Overall, we are seeking true hospitalitarians who thrive in an environment that promotes growth and excellence. The beverage program offers excellent cocktails, spirits and beer, and an extensive selection of wines by the glass and by the bottle. Candidates must possess demonstrable depth of wine knowledge that will be absolutely necessary for this position. Disciplined study of the information provided to you is needed to properly perform. Having a personal enthusiasm for market driven local cuisine will be a huge asset.
Why Chambers?
At Chambers we believe we have a responsibility as an independent restaurant to take the time and care to work with the farmers, purveyors, winemakers (and more) who are dedicated to leaving things better than they found them—including our staff. We value our team members and make it a priority to offer a real work-life balance that encourages longevity with the restaurant and long-term growth. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation, vision/dental/medical, pre-tax transit, and a host of other voluntary benefits (even pet insurance!). The restaurant opens at 5:30pm daily, with the last seating at 9:30pm or 10pm depending on the day. This is a full time position.
Sommelier Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Sell wine and other beverages nightly
- Setup and breakdown of wine station
- Assist the bar as needed
- Enforce service standards both in terms of beverage service and synchronicity with the kitchen
- Communicate unanticipated menu changes and 86’s to beverage manager
- Check for accuracy of all items in the POS system (price, low, etc.)
- Prioritize wine and beverage demands during service but never to the detriment of flow of service at large
- Possess a firm understanding of the remainder of the beverage program including cocktail ingredients, a strong knowledge of spirits and beer program and the bar’s standards of procedure
- Participate in the creation of the cocktail program under the beverage director supervision
- Assist servers/bartenders in their responsibilities as needed (SEE SERVER JOB DESCRIPTION BELOW)
- Maintain cleanliness of the restaurant
- Anything else that is needed on the restaurant floor
- Fill nightly the wine internal log
- Supervise closing 1-2 nights per week in rotation with others
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in monthly beverage inventory; high proficiency with Excel a requirement
- Assist in entering new SKU in inventory sheet and POS; experience on the back end of Toast a plus
- Collaborate with the beverage director and the head-sommelier on the selection of BTG and new items on the list (wines, beers, etc)
- Collaborate with the beverage director and the head-sommelier. on the organization of flight, wine diners, etc.
- Attend tastings with beverage director and head-sommelier
- Maintain the wine list, beverage menus, wine dinner menus (design, correction, reprint, etc.); experience with Adobe inDesign is necessary.
- Maintain accuracy of beverage notes on POS and webiste
- Create and maintain wine, beverage and cocktail education materials
- Effectively communicate all beverage changes to staff
- Maintain cleanliness of the cellar and beverage area
- Keeping up-to-date with local and international wine developments, including everything concerning farming and sustainability
TEAM LEADERSHIP
- Help develop appropriate educational goals and outreach; outline self-education program and goals with beverage director and head-sommelier
- Work with beverage manager, head-sommelier and FOH management to help with continuing education to ensure firm beverage knowledge across the team.
- Training others based on need
- Create various types of tests to help maintain beverage knowledge level amongst the team
- Create innovative beverage education and tasting classes to maintain a high engagement level
The duties of this position may change from time to time. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the Company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.
SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS
Minimum 3 years of experience as a sommelier in a high volume environment
Must have a strong personal interest in food & wine & a passion for the business of hospitality
2+ years of fine/casual fine dining experience
Solution oriented with the ability to demonstrate quick thinking and adaptability in a constantly changing environment
Receptive to constructive criticism and general performance feedback
Exceptional communication, interpersonal and service floor skills
Must possess exceptional work ethic, strong attention to detail, and a collaborative attitude
Must possess strong empathy and team spirit
Ability to work in an organized and meticulous manner with strong attention to small details
Uncompromising work ethic with a relish for new challenges
Physical Demands
The physical demands for this position are seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing, for 5 to 10 hours, bending, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations. The duties of this position may change from time to time. RACINES NYC LLC reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Chambers or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.
Chambers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.
More detail about Chambers
