Lee Hayward has over 20 years experience in hospitality. After running both restaurants and bars in the UK for nine years he relocated to Australia in 2009 and took up a position at Fix St. James that changed his career direction and confirmed a love of wine. Following Fix he became the Sommelier for Chophouse and moved into a head office role with Pacific Restaurant Group looking after beverage for Chophouse, Jamie’s Italian as well as Kinglsey’s Steak & Crab House Brands. After a few years behind the desk Lee decided to move back onto the restaurant floor and took up opportunities at both Bentley Restaurant & Bar and Jason Atherton’s Kensington Street Social. In 2016 he commenced his role as Head Sommelier at Balcón by Tapavino, a role that has lead him to become fascinated and enamoured with Spain and it’s wines so much so that he has he has also become actively involved in the Tapavino group’s importation business Barrica Wines.
