Gregory@Snooth.com                                                       




Wine Director                        Astor Wines & Spirits 

May 2005 – March 2008                        New York, NY

•    Developed the physical plans for both the new Astor Wines & Spirits retail facility as well as the events spaces of Astor Center. Implemented the move involving the layout and stocking of the new store while simultaneously closing the old facility over the course of a single weekend.
•    Developed and implemented a proprietary 50 week employee training program that entailed led tastings with up to 20 Sales Associates each week examining the qualities of a particular wine region through a range of 6-8 wines.
•    Integrated advertising, educational and retail sales programs to better prepare Sales Associates to assist Astor's customer base.
•    Created original, proprietary copy for weekly emails, monthly newsletters and the Holiday Catalog that included regional and winery overviews as well as tasting notes for specific wines.
•    Bought and priced fine and rare wines for Astor's Cool Room Program through private party, auction, and wine broker transactions.
•    Worked to expand Astor's Italian, Bordeaux and Domestic selections focusing on perceived and actual weaknesses in the product line-up. Both the Italian and Californian selections regularly receive mention as among the best in the City.
•    Secured regional distribution for several Californian wineries such as Nalle, Saxon Brown, Holdredge and Bucklin, while simultaneously securing exclusive or preferential deals for Astor Wines & Spirits.
•    Attracted and retained both private customers and commercial accounts through attentive, personalized service and attention to detail. Worked with the sales staff through hiring and training in order to create a force of like-minded and capable employees to continue this high level of service so that I could focus on high-end clientele.
•    Served as the Face of Astor in fulfilling myriad promotional activities including a range of introductory level wine Podcasts as well as interviews with National and Regional periodicals and meetings with Regional and Trade organizations

Owner/Chef                             Urban Hero/Pret-a-Porter

May 1994- December 1999                     New York, NY

•    Developed 2 unique quick dining concept restaurants specializing in healthy and affordable made from scratch meals for busy New Yorkers.
•    Created an extensive portfolio of recipes focusing on Italian, Caribbean, and Creole cuisines as well as unique interpretations of low -fat poultry sausages and Soups that were repeatedly featured in the New York Times and New York Magazine.
•    Voted New York City's best "Lunch on a Bun" New York Magazine 1996

Owner/Chef                        Cayenne

March 1992-November 1993                     Southampton, NY

•    Developed a broad Pan-Caribbean Menu for a fine dining 90 seat restaurant.
•    Supervised 30 member front and back of the house staffs.
•    Developed a 100 wine selection all American list focusing on wines other than Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon

Personal: Conversant in Italian. Able to read both French and Spanish. Accomplished Chef. Certified Scuba Diver.