Sarah Salim
The Catbird Seat | Nashville TN
July 2026
Although her father was a chef, Sarah Salim had her eyes set on a career as a professional dancer from an early age. She eventually joined New Dialect, a contemporary dance company, but started working at restaurants in her spare time to help pay the bills. After a few bartending stints around town, Salim landed at Rolf and Daughters in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the next year and a half, she started to learn about wine from Sommeliers Aria Dorsey, LeeAnne Arnold, and Kelly Coughlin while sharpening her hospitality skills. In 2019, she semi-retired from dance to commit herself more to the restaurant industry. During the pandemic, Salim started working at Tailor, where she began dipping her toes into wine pairings for the restaurant's South Asian-inspired tasting menu.
In 2021, as her interest in wine continued to blossom, Salim joined the team at The Catbird Seat. Working under Sommelier Cole Just, she was exposed to exciting natural wines and a robust non-alcoholic beverage program. Salim also turned to books and other wine professionals in town—like her partner, Sommelier Alex Burch—for information and education.
When Just left The Catbird Seat the following year, Rising Stars alum Brian Baxter asked Salim to take over the program. Although she was reluctant at first, Baxter's confidence in her abilities convinced her to accept the role. Since then, Salim has shaped the wine and beverage program at The Catbird Seat into a playful, dynamic experience, continuing to develop the restaurant's non-alcoholic offerings while building a list that shines a light on new, up-and-coming wine producers. Outside the restaurant, she's an active participant in local tasting groups, connecting with wine professionals in the city and collaborating with organizations to taste rare wines and learn about new regions and varietals.
