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Manuel Schembri
Sommelier
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
Manuel Schembri is Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier at Óx Restaurant in Reykjavík. The work asks for quiet control, clean timing, and a service style that can hold a room without drawing attention to itself. Maltese and raised in a fishing village in Malta, Schembri came up in a setting shaped by the sea, by repetition, and by the habit of doing work properly because there was no other way to do it. Before moving into his current post, he worked as chef at Verbena Wine & Dine in Żebbiegħ, building the hands-on discipline that now carries through to the dining room.
Coming Up
Early work in the kitchen at Verbena Wine & Dine in Żebbiegħ gave Manuel Schembri the kind of grounding that translates well to front-of-house leadership: rhythm, composure, and attention to detail under pressure. The chef role demanded practical decision-making and a steady pace, and those habits later became part of his service style. In hospitality, timing and reading the room matter as much as knowledge, and this background helped shape a professional approach built on both. At Óx Restaurant in Reykjavík, Schembri now brings that kitchen discipline into the combined work of Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier. The pairing requires structure on one side and sensitivity on the other, and his career shows a move from making service happen to shaping how it feels. The result is a style of authority grounded in direct experience rather than distance from the floor.
Where They Are Now
At Óx Restaurant in Reykjavík, the Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier roles place Manuel Schembri at the center of service, where mechanics and guest experience have to align. The job calls for poise, precision, and control of pace, and his background fits that brief closely. It is a role defined less by display than by consistency.
Honors
Manuel Schembri's honors include Icelandic sommelier championship — winner (2023) and ASI World Championship — 14th best sommelier (2023). Taken together, those results place 2023 as a clear marker in his record, showing recognition both in Iceland and on an international stage. The awards sit alongside a career path that runs from the practical discipline of Verbena Wine & Dine in Żebbiegħ to the demands of Óx Restaurant in Reykjavík.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Manuel
What is Manuel Schembri's current role?
As of 2026, Manuel Schembri is Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier.
Where did Manuel Schembri work before?
Manuel Schembri's earlier career included Verbena Wine & Dine.
What recognition has Manuel Schembri received?
Icelandic sommelier championship — winner (2023).
