What is life like as a female sommelier?

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 04. 19. 11:07

What does it take to become a successful sommelier? Is it possible to assert yourself as a woman in this profession? Where do Hungarian wines stand in the international wine world, and what place do non-alcoholic wines have in hospitality? Among other things, Ivett Lisztes, the sommelier of N28, answered these questions in his interview with Pénzcentrum. During the conversation, dedication, family examples and work-life balance were also discussed.

Ivett Lisztes comes from an old catering family, where her great-grandfather was the head waiter of the Hungária Szálló. Although her mother worked as a chef, she did not support her daughter’s catering career, but Ivett decided to take this path. At the age of 11, he helped out at his first catering event and chose to gain practical experience instead of college studies. He learned to be a waiter in Gundel, then worked at several jobs in the catering industry, during which he got closer and closer to the world of wines. He also completed sommelier training and was able to present himself as an expert at N28.

N28 offers bistro cuisine led by chef Nagy Szabolcs, with a blackboard offer and a varied menu, which is determined by seasonality and the quality of the ingredients. According to Ivett Lisztes, their goal is to create a strong domestic audience, but they also welcome foreigners living here. According to the sommelier, N28 has a well-balanced menu and wine list that attracts both domestic and international guests.