Wine stewards serve wine and drinks to customers in hotel lounges, bars and in restaurant dining rooms.
The main responsibility of wine stewards is to establish what customers want to drink and to serve them accordingly. It is important that all drinks are served in the correct manner.
The level of responsibility in steward duties differs from one establishment to another. In more up-market establishments, wine stewards are responsible for selecting, obtaining, storing, controlling and replenishing the stock of wines. These wine stewards will also discuss wines with customers and assist them in making their selection.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with people
- being knowledgeable about wines
- receiving good tips for giving good service
- being able to get a job with relatively little education
- being supplied with uniforms and free meals
Demanding aspects
- being on your feet for many hours
- limited promotional prospects
- dealing with difficult or over-demanding customers
- waiting on large tables or a number of tables at the same time
- irregular and sometimes very long working hours
Requirements
A wine steward should:
- be friendly and have a pleasant personality;
- enjoy meeting all kinds of people;
- be patient, diplomatic and even-tempered;
- present a neat appearance;
- have a good knowledge of wines;
- be able to take orders accurately;
- be able to stand for hours at a time;
- have a good memory.
School Subjects
No specific requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mathematics, Languages, Hospitality Studies
Training
IN-SERVICE TRAINING:
Wine stewards learn the required skills by on-the-job training. Short courses are offered by the Hospitality Industries' Training Board. Wine stewards in up-market establishments need to attend wine courses on a regular basis to keep up-to-date on product knowledge.
Employer
- Restaurants and cafeterias
- Steakhouses
- Hotel dining rooms
- Private clubs
- Other establishments that serve drinks
- Casinos
- Self-employment, given enough experience, initiative and capital, could start own business, such as a wine bar
Contact
Wines of South Africa
P O Box 987
Stellenbosch, 7599
Tel: (021) 883-3860
Fax: (021) 883-3861
E-mail: info@wosa.co.za
www.wosa.co.za