Kristin Ma
Cecily | Brooklyn, NY
February 2025
Kristin Ma moved to New York in the hopes of pursuing a career in academia. She soon discovered that graduate school wasn’t for her and started looking for work. On a whim, she walked into September Wines and asked if they were hiring. Although Ma’s beverage knowledge was limited at the time, she dedicated herself to learning everything she could about wine. She went on to join Rising Stars alum Joe Campanale’s L’Artusi as a cellar hand where, over the next few months, Sommelier Anncherie Saludo took Ma under her wing and opened her eyes to Italian wines. Ma worked her way up to server before accepting her first sommelier position at Locanda Verde. She then joined the team at Anfora, where she explored natural wines and learned the art of running a beverage program under the guidance of Sommelier David Foss. Looking to expand her knowledge further, Ma moved to Wine Spectator’s WS New York, learning the ins and outs of fine dining and taking advantage of the private club’s expansive collection.
In 2021, feeling burnt out and disillusioned by the industry, Ma took a step back and helped open Rising Stars alum Rafiq Salim’s restaurant, Rolo’s, as a cashier and server. When she felt ready to get back into wine, Ma joined Estela as sommelier, where she was reenergized by the restaurant’s team-first atmosphere. Eager to open a spot of her own, Ma joined forces with friend and former coworker Tara Noble and, in December 2023, they opened Cecily in Greenpoint. There, Ma showcases a wide range of bottles from around the world, focusing on northwest Spain and its islands, as well as Australia and New Zealand. In addition to providing ample educational opportunities and mentoring for her team, Ma and Noble have built a profit-sharing model into the business, ensuring transparency and sustainability for their staff.
