Thomas Kakalios

The Path

Behind-the-scenes floor work shaped the early discipline here. Thomas Kakalios started as a barback at downtown Chicago basement bar in Chicago, Illinois, where service begins with movement, observation, and the mechanics that keep a room running. From there, he moved into a wine-centered position at Daisies in Chicago, Illinois, then into a wine role at NEXT (Alinea Group) in Chicago, Illinois, and later a wine role at Yūgen in Chicago, Illinois. Each step reinforced the same trade skill: helping guests navigate something broad without turning it into a test. The sommelier role put floor service and wine list management in the same frame. Thomas Kakalios served as sommelier at Smyth and The Loyalist in Chicago, Illinois, where the work played out table by table, bottle by bottle. In 2023, he became Lead Sommelier at Asador Bastian in Chicago, Illinois, bringing a steady, guest-first approach into a larger role in the dining room. The emphasis stayed on interpretation: taking what is on the page and making it workable for the person across the table. Since 2024, Thomas has also served as beverage director overseeing three Eat Well Hospitality restaurants of Eat Well Hospitality. The position extends the same service logic across more than one room, with range added to responsibility but no change in the core task: keep the program organized, readable, and useful.

The Work Today

The central skill in Kakalios’s work is translation. A wine list can carry a lot of information, but the point is not to overwhelm the guest with it. The point is to preserve the intent of the program while making it legible to someone who may be reading it quickly, or for the first time, or under the pressure of deciding at the table. That is a trade skill as much as a service skill. The throughline is service. From barback to wine roles, from sommelier to Lead Sommelier, and now to beverage director, the work has stayed anchored in the same set of responsibilities: organization, judgment, timing, and the ability to respond before a guest has fully named what they need. The polish in the room depends on that invisible labor.

Career - beverage director overseeing three Eat Well Hospitality restaurants — Eat Well Hospitality, Chicago, Illinois (2024–present) - barback — downtown Chicago basement bar, Chicago, Illinois - wine-centered position — Daisies, Chicago, Illinois - wine role — NEXT (Alinea Group), Chicago, Illinois - wine role — Yūgen, Chicago, Illinois - sommelier — Smyth and The Loyalist, Chicago, Illinois - Lead Sommelier — Asador Bastian, Chicago, Illinois (from 2023)

Signature

Thomas Kakalios is known for wine program leadership.

In Their Words “My job is often to translate a list into terms they can understand.”

FAQ What is Thomas Kakalios's current role? Thomas Kakalios is Lead Sommelier. Where did Thomas Kakalios work before? Thomas Kakalios's earlier career included downtown Chicago basement bar, Daisies, and NEXT (Alinea Group). What recognition has Thomas Kakalios received? James Beard Awards, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service semifinalist (2025).