Matthew O’Donnell has been appointed as Head Sommelier at fine dining restaurant Number One within The Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh.
Originally from Airdrie, O’Donnell brings over a decade of distinguished hospitality and wine expertise to his new role at the Rocco Forte Hotel.
His career has already spanned some top hotels across England, Ireland and Scotland, including Ashford Castle in Ireland, Grantley Hall in Yorkshire and The Strathearn at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire.
He further honed his expertise in world-class wines as a Sommelier at London’s fine wine members’ club, 67 Pall Mall, where he worked closely with one of the city’s most extensive cellar collections.
O’Donnell will now lead the award-winning wine programme at Number One, curating a wine list in partnership with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine Mathew Sherry and manager Emma Hemy, to complement the seasonal menus.
He holds multiple Wine & Spirit Education Trust qualifications, including Level 1 in Sake, Level 2 in Spirits and Level 3 in Wines. He is also currently studying towards his WSET Diploma in Wines.
Beyond his professional achievements, he has also represented Scotland playing chess and continues to rank in the top 100 players in the country.
He said: “I’m delighted to join the team here at Number One, and I’m so looking forward to bringing my passion for sustainable wines to one of the finest dining destinations in the UK.
“I’m particularly looking forward to sharing my interest in the wines of Austria, including the vineyards of Wachau, Südsteiermark and Vienna, with both the team and diners.”
Number One currently holds four AA Rosettes, is Michelin Guide recommended and included in the prestigious La Liste Top 1000, a listing of the world’s best restaurants.
