Steven McAllister is the Beverage Director of CookNSolo Restaurants and Sommelier of Zahav. The grandson of a New Jersey diner owner, a first-generation grocery proprietor, and a butcher shop steward — Steven comes from a home with food at its heart. From his teens through early twenties, Steven held most every front-of-house position, and fed his creative mind playing bass and guitar in a reggae-rock cover band. In 2015, Steven relocated to Philadelphia and joined the team at Abe Fisher, CookNSolo’s intimate fine dining restaurant known for its expert beverage program. Abe Fisher became Steven’s hospitality training ground as a bartender with a focus on off-the-path wines, craft cocktails, and amaro before the aperitif became popular on craft beverage menus. Steven went on to earn his Court of Master Sommeliers Level 2 certification and in 2019, joined the service team at Zahav. By 2021 , Steven was elevated to Beverage Director for the hospitality group and nightly beverage manager at his home restaurant, where spreading the gospel about the rich world of Middle Eastern wine is his purpose. Steven resides in South Philly with his wife and young son, and enjoys the summertime pleasure of surfing at the Jersey Shore.