Stephen Fisher

1. I have a plethora of experience in 5* hotels and resorts. What really describes me though is the passion in my first wine position. I had minimal wine knowledge from Culinary School although I had a driving interest. I took over the wine program at an upscale Northern Italian Restaurant. I read the best Italian wine books, met with every wine wholesaler in the city, went to every Trade Tasting. My goal was have the best Italian wine list in the city of Boston. I was passionate. Two years after I started, five people from the Italian Trade Commission visited the restaurant. They wanted to know who did most in promoting Italian wines, so they sent out a questioner to all the wholesalers in Greater Boston. The gentleman in charge told me, Steve, 75% of the wholesalers said this restaurant. I was surprised and encouraged. People in our business don't always get the recognition they deserve. Particularly in the first few years. Then he said, “But Steve, the other 25% said you!”. This was the launching pad to my employment in future 5* operations. I've never been satisfied with good. I always strive for the Best in all aspects of my management!

I believed understanding all aspects of the wine, beer, and alcohol in the hospitality industry would make me a well rounded manager. Because of this I took a job as a waiter. One month later I was the Staff Trainer. I also worked as a Restaurant Manager, worked retail wine sales at a “Best of Boston” retailer, a Sommelier with inventories topping out at $2.2M, three Beverage Manager positions and one  that was part or the opening team. I worked wholesale to totally understand their work. 

Excellent selections, increasing sales revenue, managing Beverage Cost, training, tastings, and Beverage dinners are the areas I stood out in. 

Chile, Sommelier Summit, One of two Massachusetts wine professionals invited to the 2000 Summit, Germany, German Wine Academy, Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau 5-day intensive Wine Class         France: Champagne, 3-day Private Wine Class hosted by CIVC.                                                   California, Napa/Sonoma Valleys, Tour of local wineries                                                                     Oregon: Invitee and participant in 2014 Pinot Camp, Tour of local wineries                                   Washington: Tour of local wineries