About me - intro.

Hi, I’m Tom — a sommelier, trainer, and lifelong wine enthusiast. I believe wine service should be approachable, fun, and profitable (yes, all three at once).

While wine is my specialty, my background covers the whole of hospitality. From running busy restaurants to designing menus, training front-of-house teams, and improving guest journeys, I understand how every detail — not just the drinks list — impacts service and sales.

That’s why my approach blends wine knowledge with broader hospitality expertise. I look at the bigger picture: table management, upselling opportunities, food and drink pairing, and the little touches that turn a good service into a great one.

Want to see how this could work in your venue?

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Why work with me?

Sommelier know-how with a hospitality-wide view — because great service is about more than wine.

  • With over 20 years in hospitality — from running restaurants to working as a sommelier, wine merchant, and consultant — I know what it takes to balance guest experience with profit.

  • I bring advanced wine knowledge (WSET Diploma) but also a big-picture view of hospitality. My approach covers service, staff training, menu design, and the full guest journey — not just the wine list in isolation.

  • No jargon. No overwhelm. I create simple, confidence-building tools your team can use straight away, turning wine service from intimidating to enjoyable.

  • From boosting by-the-glass sales by 45% in two weeks, to helping staff sell with confidence, my work delivers measurable impact.

  • I understand the challenges of busy service, tight margins, and real-life hospitality pressures. I keep training approachable, supportive, and tailored to your team’s needs.

What they said…

  • "Tom’s wine training transforms teams—building confidence, skill, and real commercial impact."

    Claire Hall. Director Hospitality Training. Saffron Academy.

  • "Tom’s passion for hospitality especially wine and learning lights up every room he walks into."

    Thad Cox. Founder/Creative Director. Oakmont House.

  • "Collaborating with Tom is inspiring—he combines creativity and strategy effortlessly."

    Joe Rea. Director. Oliver Watson Property.

  • "Tom’s leadership during challenging times has left a lasting mark on Cornwall’s hospitality community."

    Louise Ellis FRSA MIFST. Senior ESG Co-ordinator. Cornish Lithium PLC.

  • "Tom brings clarity, creativity, and structure to complex projects, turning good ideas into great results."

    Stewart Roode. Managing Director. HookedOnMedia.

  • "We’ve been working with Tommy for the past month, and his experience has been amazing for our small restaurant group. He’s helped streamline service, and point out small flaws that we otherwise wouldn’t have noticed. He’s amazing with the team, and the feedback from them has also been great as he’s shadowing and doing LiveShift training. Definitely an asset to any restaurant looking to step up to the next level."

    Mikey Betts, Owner, Calvo Loco Tapas Bar & Herbies Restaurant, Exeter.

My Approach.

Practical
Hospitality moves fast — and long lectures don’t stick. That’s why my training is designed to be short, sharp, and immediately useful. Every session is built around tips, scripts, and stories your team can put into practice that same service.

Approachable
Wine can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t need to. I cut out the jargon and replace it with simple, natural language your staff actually feel comfortable using with guests. Confidence grows when training feels friendly, relaxed, and achievable.

Profitable
At the end of the day, training has to make a difference to the bottom line. My focus is on boosting sales without upselling pressure — by giving your team the tools to guide guests, increase average spend, and create a better dining experience..

Experience Across the Industry.

Wine might be my specialist subject, but great hospitality is about the bigger picture. Over the years I’ve worked across restaurants, hotels, and pubs — and I’ve seen how all the moving parts connect. That’s why my consultancy now extends beyond the glass:

I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible names in hospitality and beyond. Here are just a few of the brands and businesses I’ve collaborated with:

When I’m not talking about wine & hospitality.

Life by the Coast.

I’m happiest outdoors — walking Devon’s beaches, dipping into the estuary for a cold swim, or exploring local food spots.

Passions & Adventures.

Skiing is my big escape, and I love the thrill of mountain biking too. When I slow down, you’ll probably find me deep in a Star Wars marathon (quotes and all).

Family First.

I share life here in Devon with my partner Rebecca and our four daughters. Time with them is what keeps me grounded, balanced, and inspired.

If you’d like to make your wine list work harder and your team feel more confident, let’s chat.

Ready to boost your wine sales and team confidence?

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Book a free discovery call and see how Behind the Wine List can help your team.