Daniel McEvoy didn’t know his calling until he was smack bang in the middle of it all.
Now working as Group Sommelier for Palmer Hospitality Group, Dan McEvoy has officially been ranked seventh in the Sommelier Edit Top 100 list.
But his career didn’t begin in a winery or vineyard. It actually started while he was at university, studying to become an engineer.
“I dropped out of university in 2010… I was just not really enjoying it.”
He had worked in hospitality throughout university to support himself, and after leaving his engineering degree, decided to stick with it while he worked out what he wanted to do next.
“I fell in love with the wine industry. I fell in love with the service industry, looking after people and how that made them feel.”
And so he decided to make a career out of it, and lucky he did, with the national recognition more than “humbling.”
“To be the only South Australian in the top 25 was a very humbling and gratifying experience, and one that I couldn’t have done without my support network at work and at home as well.”
South Australia was also represented by Maxime Martin from Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, who ranked 28th nationally, Kirsten Boesen from Restaurant Aptos named among the Top five Young Sommeliers and Maria Rubiano from National Wine Centre of Australia among the Top 5 Ones-to-Watch.
So what actually is a sommelier? We’ll leave that to the expert to explain.
“A sommelier is responsible for, in my case, the wine list at 2KW…. I also take on the role as Group Sommelier of the greater Palmer Hospitality Group,” Dan said.
“The learning and development role that I have within the group is quite paramount to me as well.
“But day to day, I’m still on the floor quite a bit, selling and recommending bottles of wine that will work with whatever someone is feeling like drinking or what they want to pair with their food.”
The inaugural ranking aims to recognise sommeliers and beverage professionals whose knowledge, passion and dedication are shaping service across the country.
“To get into the top 10 was something beyond my wildest dreams,” Dan said.
For Dan, much of his success comes down to the passion he brings to every shift, venue and guest experience. His focus is simple: make each person’s experience better in whatever way he can.
“I walk into 2KW, or whatever venue I’m working at during the day or night, with the idea that I’m there to make a guest’s experience better,” he said.
“I will do whatever is possible to make that happen, and I think that’s what sets me apart.”
“I’m just very happy, very humbled and very grateful for my support network of family and friends, my beautiful wife, and everyone who put up with me and all the nerves leading up to it.”
For more on the Top 100 Sommelier List awards, click here.
