Jonathan Ross, former head sommelier of Eleven Madison Park, recently awarded number one in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, has joined The Lucas Group in Melbourne as group sommelier.
Ross is now part of the wine team headed by general manager wine, Philip Rich, along with general manager of Kisum, Markus Tschuschnig. The two will work closely on advanced wine and sommelier training and development across the entire group, and will oversee all wine programs for the group’s restaurants. This includes the soon to open Kisum and Chin Chin Sydney.
Ross will be taking a personal role at Kisum, focusing on the omakase room on level three known simply as ‘The Table’.
“I’m thrilled to be joining an internationally regarded and innovative, world class restaurant business. I’m also excited to be working alongside Philip Rich, one of Australia’s most respected wine experts and his extended team. I’m confident we will bring a unique edge to Chris Lucas’ restaurants,” Ross said.
His tenure (2012-2017) at Eleven Madison Park saw Ross oversee the restaurant’s wine program, including a team of five sommeliers. In 2015, Ross was the GuildSomm National Top|Somm Champion, which many consider to be the most well regarded sommelier award in the US.
Ross is also in the final stages of completing his Master Sommelier.
Restaurateur Chris Lucas said, “What a time for Jon to be joining our expanding family. I believe our group’s wine team is shaping up to be one of Australia’s most talented, bringing together a truly international lineup with the best of our local talent. With Jon we now have one the best wine talents in the world and I can’t wait to work with him.”