Ai Fiori
Hristo Zisovski is an Advanced Sommelier based in New York City. Hristo was raised in his father’s Greek diners, where he flipped burgers and pancakes throughout his childhood. After high school, Hristo earned a degree from the Culinary Institute of America but realized his interest was increasingly in the “front of the house”.
In 2001 Hristo became the assistant beverage director at three-star restaurant March, where he “cut his teeth” in wine and also began his educational journey to becoming a Master Sommelier. From March, Hristo moved to three Michelin-starred Jean Georges, where he spent seven years as the Chef Sommelier. Under his tenure at Jean Georges the restaurant received the 2010 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine Service. Hristo was also personally awarded Wine & Spirits Best New Sommelier in 2007.
In November of 2010 Hristo moved from Jean Georges to join Chef Michael White and his team at Ai Fiori, the Altamarea Group’s new restaurant at the Setai Hotel in New York City. Hristo has already gained notoriety for his extensive wine selection which has helped attribute to Ai Fiori’s recent 3 star NY Times review. He is also a member of the Altamarea Group Beverage Committee that oversees all beverage operations company-wide.