[QLD] [NEC] Chris Entwistle – Ghanem Group

Chris has worked his way up the industry ladder from waiter to restaurant supervisor before earning his stripes as a sommelier. Chris’s role as a sommelier has taken him to prestigious venues including Sydney’s Chophouse, Lotus Barangaroo, Fujisaki, and China Doll.

Chris is currently the group sommelier for the Ghanem Group of restaurants, which features Blackbird Bar and Grill, Donna Chang, Bisou Bisou, Boom Boom Room, and Luc Lac, with an expanding presence in Melbourne. Chris advocates for wine education across his group’s venues. Chris believes as a beneficiary of on-the-job and academic training throughout his hospitality career, he is passionate about holding the door open and ensuring the next generation of hospitality professionals have access to the same development opportunities. 

Chris holds a WSET Diploma of Wine and WSET Level 3 in Sake. Hosting a monthly wine tasting for his group’s team members, Chris aims to build knowledge, and invoke passion and interest for wine. Chris continues to thrive on the challenge of matching the evolving Australian palate to the exciting developments in Australian wines with an ever growing palette of culinary styles of venues with wine lists he curates. 

Believing in the talent and skill behind Brisbane’s close knit community of sommeliers, Chris is excited for the growth trajectory of South East Queensland. He is keen to witness the development, as Brisbane continues to attract, build and nurture wine talent to support the growth of its burgeoning hospitality scene.