Expert advice & consulting services for the beverage and food sectors

Kent Barker is a renowned wine expert, entrepreneur, business consultant and most recently, the creator, owner and wine director of Wilding (Oxford, Salisbury) & Eight Stony Street (Frome), a small independent chain of neighbourhood restaurants, wine bars and wine shops. He has established a strong reputation for his extraordinary wine collection, which emphasizes organic, biodynamic, and sustainable production.

Before founding Wilding, he gained extensive experience working with various wine producers and distributors, which helped him develop a deep understanding of the wine business and the intricacies of wine production.

Kent curated a 400-strong wine list that championed producers passionate about the land they cultivate and who make wines that typify the unique character of their location.

Kent has also collaborated with Michelin-star chefs to create menus that celebrate the finest sustainably sourced food and drink from across the UK and beyond.

About Kent Barker

Kent has over 40 years' experience in the wine and hospitality trades brining a whole new perspective to deliver amazing, practical, and financially positive solutions to your drinks and hospitality projects. His experience as a director at various leading wine merchants and board room hospitality positions brings a level-headed approach to delivering solutions that meet the demands of exceptional customer experience whilst delivering industry leading profits and support packages.

Professional Experience:

  • Eight Stony Street & Wilding - Founder

  • Beckford Bottleshop - Commercial Director

  • Jascots Wine Merchants - Sales Director

  • Enotria Winecellars (Enotria & Coe) - Sales Director

  • Bibendum Wine - Sales Manager

  • Oddbins - Account Manager

Consulting Experience:

  • Walcot House - Bath

  • Truffle Hunting - Marlow and Henley

  • Mongoose Hospitality - Cambridge

  • Pelican Taverns - Lymington and Southampton

  • Sandy Feet - Bournemouth

  • Cantab Catering - Cambridge

Areas of Expertise


Wines & Spirits

Transform your beverage offering with a leading wine expert who understands the complexities and pitfalls of wine and cuts through to what matters. Kent's 25 years in the wine sales industry provides a deep understanding of wine lists, supplier relationships, and the art of delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Kent can offer a range of services, from creating concise, impactful pub lists to developing comprehensive wine programs with training, supplier management, and ongoing support, all designed to maximize your profitability.

Kent has won multiple accolades including Bath Life - Restaurant of The Year 2019, Decanter’s Best Newcomer of The Year 2023 and many awards for his cutting edge wine lists.


Hospitality

Kent brings many years of hands-on hospitality experience, from restaurant development and hotel management to years as a wine merchant, and is ready to help your business flourish. His focused approach delivers insightful strategies that drive exceptional customer experiences and sustainable profitability.


Food & Beverage

Unlock the true potential of your food and beverage offering. Kent offers a deep understanding of the powerful connection between exceptional food and brilliant wine. His extensive background in hospitality and beverage roles provides invaluable insight, translating into highly profitable and dynamic F&B experiences that elevate your business.


Boardroom

Elevate your board's effectiveness with Kent's unique industry perspective. With extensive experience at board-level roles including Jascots, Beckford Bottle Shop, Stony Street Wine House and 19-21 High Street (Hixon Restaurant). Kent brings a clear-thinking, focused and detail-oriented approach to your wine, hospitality, or beverage business.

He excels at identifying and addressing the fundamental drivers of success, helping you achieve your strategic goals and drive tangible results.

“Wine is the most delicious, stimulating, varied and infuriatingly complicated drink in the world.”

– Jancis Robinson, OBE, MW – Wine Critic

Get in Touch

Fancy an initial chat about your needs? Just fill in the form or message me directly and we can arrange a time to talk.

Telephone: 0788 979 2997

Email: kent@kentbarker.co.uk