User talk:Ben J Knight

Ben Knight was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia on January 6 1978. He travelled the first year after Finishing Year 12 and returned to Melbourne to begin work at Wine Bar 2, which was the original premises for Walter and Maria's, of Walters Wine Bar fame. Ben worked with the Bourkes for 18 months, during that time, Ben also worked in other venues run by the Bourkes, including Walters at Domaine Chandon and Walters Wine Bar in Southbank. After Wine Bar 2 closed, Ben began work for Adrian Richardson at at La Luna Bistro, a few blocks down the road on Rathdowne st, where he stayed for more than a year.

Ben moved into the city to work at Syracuse Restaurant in Bank Place in 2000. In August 2001, Ben left for a seachange to Port Fairy in Victoria, where he worked at The Victori Hotel for 6 months. It was during the latter part of his time in Port Fairy that Ben took control of the wine buying and this is where his Passion for wine began. On Ben's return to Melbourne he resumed work at Syracuse where he stayed for 3 years, moving through the ranks to become Manager and Wine Buyer working in the role of Sommelier. Ben took time off from Restaurants to spend time travelling for a few months to Russia and the South of France, only to return to Melbourne to help with the wine list at Cavallero on Smith st where he also worked a few floor shifts, whilst also working at moor st wines. After returning to Melbourne it wasn't long before Ben accepted the Head Sommelier position at Vue de Monde, back in the city, across the road from Syracuse. The position at Vue de Monde was short lived, and after 3 months Ben left restaurants for the last time and began, with his partner Janine Rayner, BenandWine. BenandWine is an online wine training provider and online sales site which continues to this day. Ben is currently the Co-Director and Operator of BenandWine and lives with Janine in Melbourne.