Alana has a unique talent for blending encyclopedic wine knowledge with a casual and fun approachability. Now, after dedicating years to learning about the why, when, where, and how of wine, she’s shifted her focus to how she can use that skill to take some of the formality out of it all. “I love talking about dirt and vintage variation as much as the next somm, but sometimes you just have to make it relatable.”

Alana curates our wine program with a strong focus on low intervention and sustainability, always looking for obscure and fun products to create a unique and exciting dining experience. She also runs a low intervention, exclusive wine club, “Crushpad”, where members receive monthly curated wine selections and notes, along with some pretty fun wine parties.

Alana is a familiar face in the wine scene of the Maritimes - she's a CAPS, CMS and WSET Certified Sommelier, holds both a French Wine Scholar and Italian Wine Certification with the WSG and is a Certified Sherry Sommelier. She is also an educator with CAPS AC, and sits on the CAPS AC board. Alana is particularly gifted in pairing wines with not only food but also with 90's hip-hop bangers.

Alana worked as general manager and sommelier at our sister restaurant, Little Oak Bar, twice recognized by Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, Canada’s 50 Best Bars, and EnRoute’s Top 30 New Restaurants. She's also a mentor for many of the next generation of young sommeliers in Halifax, always willing to help organize a tasting or just drop some fun knowledge.

Chef José Matamoros has over 16 years of culinary experience and is known for his innovative approach to Mexican cuisine. He combines his extensive knowledge of Mexican cuisine with experience in French, Italian, and other global cuisines, making him a perfect fit for The Ostrich Club. His culinary journey has taken him to some of the world’s most esteemed kitchens, including the 2-Michelin star La Grenouillère in France and the Jonathan Waxman owned Jams in NYC. Chef Matamoros has also contributed to the openings of high-profile venues such as Harriet’s and Casa Madera, 1kitchen in Toronto, 1Hotel in San Francisco, and a 1Hotel venue in Copenhagen.

Chef Matamoros’ style is a masterful blend of traditional Mexican flavors with contemporary techniques, resulting in dishes that are both visually stunning and deeply flavorful. His commitment to excellence is evident in every plate, from his meticulous attention to detail to his innovative use of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Whether leading a kitchen or teaching aspiring chefs, Chef Matamoros continues to push the boundaries of modern cuisine, making him a sought-after figure in the culinary world.

Originally from Toronto, Lindsay moved to Halifax in 2015. She’s been behind the bar for 10 years and has travelled the world to learn about spirits and cocktails, including such places as Oaxaca, Kentucky, Poland, Scotland, Singapore, and Bermuda. A familiar face in the Halifax bar scene, Lindsay has worked closely with the rest of the Halifax bar community while winning the Halifax Best Bartender award in 2018. She also loves bartending competitions and has competed both locally and nationally against some of the country’s best bartenders. Her philosophy is to make approachable craft cocktails with fresh ingredients and quality products.

When Lindsay started with The Ostrich Club she quickly developed a passion for all things wine under the mentorship of Alana Steele. She began studying with CAPS AC and is now a certified sommelier although she is still always down to talk about whiskey, especially bourbon.