Name: Carmel Boyle

Occupation & Company: Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier at Restaurant Keith Boyle at The Bridge House, Co. Kilkenny.

Tell me about your current role?
My current role is to oversee the food and beverage operations and to create the new wine and cocktail lists at the newly restored Bridge House Hotel and its new restaurant Keith Boyle at the Bridge House in Kilkenny City centre.

How did you first get into the drinks industry?
My husband and I opened our first restaurant The Bay Tree Bistro in Waterford city in 2015 and I was really thrown in at the deep end. Having to learn “on the job” as they say

What is your favourite part about working in the industry?
My favourite part of working in the industry is how friendly and challenging it can be. Every service is different and when you get to introduce guests to new wines from regions they would never usually choose and watch them thoroughly enjoy their wines its always very rewarding.

We’re meeting up for a wee drink after work – what are you having?
Depending on where we are going but anything from a pint of Guinness to a gin and tonic or a really nice glass of Shiraz. I’m easily pleased.

You can only have one drink for the rest of your life, what’s in your glass?
Australian Shiraz I think, we serve a wonderful Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz at the minute and Id happily enjoy that every day.

It’s Saturday night, what restaurant are you going to?
We love to go to Mimosa Tapas Bar in Carlow, the food is always excellent and the cocktail menu is outstanding.

Is there a bucket list drink you want to try, or a dream drinks destination you’d love to visit?
It has to be Château Mouton Rothschild. We got to try a very old Château d’Yquem while visiting St Emilion last year and that would have been another bucket list drink.

The most memorable experience of your career?
Starting my Court of Master Sommeliers journey for sure. It is an amazing to be learning from Master sommeliers that you admire like Ronan Sayburn and Gearoid Devany.

One thing you’d like to see more of in the drinks industry?
I would love to see more people enjoying the world of wine. With groups now like Wine Spirit Women and the Irish Guild of Sommeliers it is easier now for people to learn from each other , pass on knowledge and information and encourage others to choose this as a career.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a career in the industry?
Talk to everyone, be a sponge for knowledge, learn as much as you can and taste, taste, taste.

You can follow Carmel’s wine journey here.