DOMINIKA COOSE
Brooklyn
Summary
Beverage and hospitality leader with nearly 10 years of experience directing beverage programs for high-volume, luxury restaurants in New York City. Expertise in beverage purchasing, inventory management, vendor partnerships, menu development, staff training, and cost control. Proven success managing beverage P&L, reducing beverage costs, developing profitable wine programs, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences. CMS Certified Sommelier with advanced wine expertise and strong operational leadership.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Wine Director
Pastis
New York, NY
07.2025 - Current
- Maintain wine cost of goods below 21% through strategic purchasing, inventory analysis, and cost-control initiatives.
- Manage inventory using CTUIT, conducting regular counts, forecasting demand, and placing purchase orders to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Partner with distributors and winery representatives to negotiate allocations, manage vendor relationships, and secure inventory for seasonal demand.
- Curate by-the-glass and bottle selections across multiple price points while aligning with company profitability goals.
- Develop educational materials and conduct ongoing staff training on wine knowledge, service standards, food pairings, and sales techniques.
- Monitor industry trends and introduce new products to keep the beverage program competitive and guest-focused.
Wine Director & Assistant General Manager
Gage & Tollner
Brooklyn, NY
01.2023 - 06.2025
- Directed all purchasing, inventory management, and financial performance of a 200+ SKU beverage program while maintaining monthly beverage budgets and cost targets.
- Managed vendor relationships with wine and spirits distributors, negotiating pricing, allocations, and promotional opportunities.
- Analyzed beverage sales trends and guest preferences to optimize menu mix and maximize profitability.
- Controlled beverage inventory through regular audits, ordering, and loss prevention initiatives.
- Designed staff education programs focused on wine knowledge, responsible alcohol service, upselling, and guest engagement.
- Collaborated with culinary leadership on beverage pairings, seasonal offerings, and special events.
Service Director
Gage & Tollner
Brooklyn, NY
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Recruited and vetted new members on the front-of-house team using the platforms Culinary Agents, Indeed, and Craigslist.
- Developed standardized operating procedures and onboarding materials that improved consistency in service execution.
- Developed service standards for the dining room team, which were then outlined in a formal Service Manual for the restaurant.
- Managed labor scheduling for a team of 60+ employees using Sling, aligning staffing levels with reservation forecasts and reducing labor costs.
- Conducted 30/60/90-day check-ins with new team members as they joined to measure their performance, as well as the performance of the company.
Sommelier
MEL'S
New York, NY
06.2022 - 01.2023
- Worked with renowned Chef Melissa Rodriguez and the team behind Michelin-starred Del Posto to re-image that space as Mel's and Al Coro.
- Organized wine cellar upon receipt of wine deliveries and led monthly inventory of wine cellar with Bevager management platform.
- Led wine education for front-of-house staff in daily pre-opening meetings as well as monthly meetings.
Sommelier
Niche Niche
New York, NY
10.2021 - 06.2022
- Curated a selection of competitively priced and hard-to-find champagnes by the glass.
- Organized weekly themes for 4-course dinner parties, hand-selected line-up of wines to pair with the weekly theme.
- Used programs Canva and Adobe Photoshop to create promotional material for weekly dinner party themes.
Beverage Director & Assistant General Manager
Highway
East Hampton, NY
06.2020 - 09.2021
- Directed all beverage operations, including purchasing, inventory management, pricing strategy, and vendor relationships.
- Reduced liquor cost to 20% and wine cost to 26% through disciplined inventory controls and purchasing strategies.
- Created beverage menus and curated wine selections aligned with seasonal food offerings and guest demand.
- Designed and executed innovative beverage programming during COVID, including private tastings and retail wine sales that generated new revenue streams.
- Collaborated with culinary leadership on beverage pairings and menu development.
- Managed ordering, receiving, inventory counts, and product rotation to minimize waste.
- Trained front-of-house staff on beverage knowledge, service standards, and sales techniques.
Head Sommelier
The Riddler
New York, NY
10.2019 - 05.2020
- Led a team of 6 sommeliers, along with the General Manager and Executive Chef, in opening this champagne bar in the West Village with an extensive list of entirely sparkling wine selections.
- Collaborated closely with the ownership, including founder Jen Pelka, to align the wine program with the vision and goals of The Riddler brand.
- Pivoted to a wine shop and take-out business briefly in 2020 when COVID restrictions were put in place.
Sommelier
The Riddler
New York, NY
10.2019 - 05.2020
- Demonstrated expertise in pairing sparkling wines with various dishes on the menu, elevating the dining experience for patrons.
- Engaged with customers to guide them through the sparkling wine menu, offering personalized recommendations and enhancing their overall dining experience.
Sommelier
TAK Room
New York, NY
02.2019 - 08.2019
- One of 4 sommeliers on the opening team of this Thomas Keller Americana-inspired restaurant in Hudson Yards, assisted guests with a wine selection from a list of 300+ SKUs.
- Maintained strong command of the food menu and assisted with table presentations alongside captains and managers.
- Performed detailed physical monthly inventory of wine cellar worth over $500K utilizing Binwise Inventory Software.
Sommelier
MARTA
New York, NY
06.2016 - 09.2018
- Managed the wine cellar efficiently, ensuring proper storage conditions and rotation to maintain the quality and integrity of the wine inventory.
- In-depth expertise in Italian wines and grower-Champagnes, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of regional varietals, producers, and vintages.
- Lead educational pre-shift meetings for front-of-house staff to maintain wine knowledge.
- Acted as an integral member of nightly dinner service, not only helping with wine but any step of the guest experience.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Sociology
Hunter College
NYC12-2014
Skills
- Beverage Cost Control
- Inventory Management
- Purchasing & Ordering, Vendor Relations
- Beverage P&L / Budget Management
- Staff Training & Development
- SOP Development
- Event Beverage Planning
- Regulatory Compliance
Accomplishments
Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence - Pastis 2026
Certification
- CMS Certified Sommelier
- WSET Diploma (in progress)
Languages
Polish
Timeline
Wine Director
Pastis
07.2025 - Current
Wine Director & Assistant General Manager
Gage & Tollner
01.2023 - 06.2025
Service Director
Gage & Tollner
01.2023 - 01.2024
Sommelier
MEL'S
06.2022 - 01.2023
Sommelier
Niche Niche
10.2021 - 06.2022
Beverage Director & Assistant General Manager
Highway
06.2020 - 09.2021
Head Sommelier
The Riddler
10.2019 - 05.2020
Sommelier
The Riddler
10.2019 - 05.2020
Sommelier
TAK Room
02.2019 - 08.2019
Sommelier
MARTA
06.2016 - 09.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Sociology
Hunter College