What is a sommelier?

What is a sommelier?

• A. The head waiter
• B. A wine steward
• C. The pastry chef
• D. The chef de rang

Answer: (B)

A sommelier is the wine steward—the restaurant’s dedicated expert responsible for wine service. This role focuses on the wine list, suggesting pairings with courses, and ensuring proper handling from the cellar to the table. A sommelier knows about wine regions, vintages, and styles, trains staff on service, and manages storage, opening, decanting, and pouring so guests have a great wine experience. The other roles are different specialties: the head waiter (maître d’) oversees floor operations and guest relations; the pastry chef handles desserts; the chef de rang is a senior server responsible for a specific station during service. These positions aren’t focused on wine expertise, which is why the sommelier—the wine steward—is the best match.

A sommelier is the wine steward—the restaurant’s dedicated expert responsible for wine service. This role focuses on the wine list, suggesting pairings with courses, and ensuring proper handling from the cellar to the table. A sommelier knows about wine regions, vintages, and styles, trains staff on service, and manages storage, opening, decanting, and pouring so guests have a great wine experience.

The other roles are different specialties: the head waiter (maître d’) oversees floor operations and guest relations; the pastry chef handles desserts; the chef de rang is a senior server responsible for a specific station during service. These positions aren’t focused on wine expertise, which is why the sommelier—the wine steward—is the best match.