Office & AdminWine & Beverage

Cedric Nicaise

Co-Owner | The Noortwyck, Oriana
The people around you are the most important people–who your friends are, who you're with, who you work for, and lastly who works for you. The people around you will determine your success.

Experience

2025 - Present
Co-Owner
OrianaNew York, NY
2021 - Present
Co-Owner
The NoortwyckNew York, NY
2021 - 2021
Director of Operations
Make it NiceNew York, NY
2015 - 2020
Executive Wine Director
2014 - 2015
Head Sommelier
2012 - 2014
Sommelier/Supervisor
2009 - 2012
Sommelier/Bar Manager
AureoleNew York, NY

Education

2001
BA History
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Advice from Cedric Nicaise

Quotes about career path, skills, and teamwork from an industry leader.
One thing a mentor once said to me was, "As a wine person, you are going to get invited to lots of things–lunches, dinners, tastings.
Those things are great, but getting asked to host them at your restaurant is the real goal."
When hiring, I want people to be earnest.
The combination of trustworthy, nice and interesting is hard to define. I also believe the most attractive traits are those who take initiative and have follow through.
To be a good wine person, you have to be curious.
Also as a sommelier, you have to care equally about the guest as you do the business that you run.
Personally I can find inspiration anywhere; a movie, a workout class, another restaurant.
However, these days I am more focused on making sure that I am providing inspiration to the people around me.
For self-care, I work out sometimes, I travel a lot (which is my zen zone), and I play a lot of golf.
I wish there was a better way to mix golf and wine and restaurants!
How to keep people engaged is a big part of my day.
It's 90% of what I focus on, especially running a small restaurant. A lot of it is how I carry myself and making sure that I bring the best version of myself to work everyday. That means keeping people looped into the industry, talking about how to be better, being there with them, and keeping things light while also being focused.

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