Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
REFERENCES
Timeline
GeneralManager

TARA STELLON

Delaplane,VA

Summary

MANAGEMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE Restaurant Management / Marketing / Operations Successful restaurant management professional with 19+ years’ experience working in fast-paced, high-volume chain restaurants. Track record of streamlining processes and cutting unnecessary costs and waste, saving companies time and money. Has excellent communication and motivational skills, with the ability to work with people of all different backgrounds and cultures, motivating and encouraging them to improve their performance and attitude not only in the workplace but in their personal life as well. Has an additional 6 years’ experience in the fitness industry working as a fitness instructor and personal trainer, successfully helping hundreds of people lead healthy and active lifestyles. Is known throughout the community for organizing and volunteering for many charities and events. Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the following: Leadership Controlling Food & Labor Costs Marketing Employee Development Monitoring P & L Team Building Budgets Inventory Management Staff Training Performance Evaluations Payroll Customer Relations

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

GENERAL MANAGER

BLACK BEAR BISTRO
WARRENTON, VA
09.2021 - 06.2022
  • Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices and company procedures.
  • Performed statistical analyses to gather data for operational and forecast team needs.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
  • Increased sales revenue by an average of 8.5% through coaching team members on best upselling practices as well as retaining guest loyalty.
  • Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency which led to an increase in guest counts by an average of 6.6%
  • Reduced costs, managed delivery schedules and created budgets to improve overall profitability.

FOH Manager

Gateau Cafe Bakery And Tea Room
Warrenton, VA
10.2018 - 03.2020
  • Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
  • Drove excellent customer service through coaching, role modeling and incorporating customer feedback to reinforce and improve quality of service.
  • Addressed guest concerns and resolved all issues to guests' satisfaction.
  • Handled complaints, settled disputes and resolved grievances to maintain customer satisfaction.
  • Adhered to safe work practices, food safety regulations and corporate guidelines.
  • Managed day-to-day FOH operations to drive quality, standards and meet customer expectations.
  • Demonstrated leadership by keeping up with cleanliness and organization and delegating roles to employees.
  • Assisted staff in building menu expertise to answer customer questions and make personal recommendations.
  • Controlled cash and credit receipts by adhering to cash handling and reconciliation procedures to comply with company policies and procedures.
  • Maintained positive team environment by encouraging teamwork and respect in accordance with company mission.

GENERAL MANAGER

Ruby Tuesday Restaurant
Portsmouth, Warrenton, VA
10.2016 - 10.2017

ASSISTANT MANAGER

Virginia Beach, VA
03.2016 - 10.2016
  • Oversaw FOH and BOH operations to include scheduling, keeping to forecasted budget, inventory and having up-to-date knowledge on ABC laws and regulations.
  • Achievements include: Implemented new strategies to improve the bottom line, reducing controllable spending by 1% and customer promotions by 1.5% Ensure that all team members are adhering to policies and procedures and continuously striving for performance improvement Responsible for BOH including spec knowledge, prep verification and controlling food waste, which has been reduced by 6.
  • Helped with planning schedules and delegating assignments to meet coverage and service demands
  • Created employee schedules to align coverage with forecasted demands
  • Increased employee performance and job satisfaction to strengthen retention and engagement
  • Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies and forecast future needs
  • Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences

PERSONAL TRAINER and GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

ONELIFE FITNESS
Chesapeake, VA
04.2010 - 03.2016
  • Successfully motivated and encouraged many people on their journey to becoming a healthier person inside and out, by creating personal programs that met each client’s specific needs and goals.
  • Conducted fitness consultations and assessments, designing programs for clients that enabled them to meet and maintain each of their individual goals and needs Assisted, monitored, and instructed clients by ensuring safe and effective use of the equipment to achieve maximum results Maintained current certifications and qualifications, providing the most up-to-date and knowledgeable information to clients Provided a safe environment for a motivating, fun, and effective workout in a class setting teaching the following: Zumba, Body Pump, Insanity, P90X and Aqua Fitness courses.
  • Designed specific workout systems for individual clients based on performance ability
  • Trained clients during strength training, cardio vascular exercise and stretching
  • Developed, planned and led personal and group fitness sessions as well as well-known specialty fitness programs
  • Educated club members about relationship between nutrition and fitness

GENERAL MANAGER

Hampton/Newport News
Portsmouth, VA
03.2003 - 01.2010
  • Managed FOH and BOH for 3 high volume sales restaurants, serving on average 3,500-4,000 guests a week.
  • Managed a staff of 55 team members, budgets, inventory, store sales goals and payroll.
  • Directed efficient guest flow through precipitative shift management and ensuring the integrity of restaurant operations through excellent guest relations Trained staff in upselling customers through extensive knowledge on all food and beverage products Increased sales through marketing programs and ensuring staff was giving excellent customer service In charge of staff recruitment, training and performance evaluations, mentoring and encouraging staff to meet goals Extensive P&L experience in cost controls, reducing costs on average of 6% in labor and 5% food waste per store.
  • Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts and costs
  • Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity

MANAGER

Creek, VA
03.2002 - 03.2003
  • Managed FOH operations through training 44-55 team members in guest service, menu knowledge, ABC laws and regulations as well as health code regulations.
  • Streamlined labor spending in an on- going effort to reduce weekly expenditures Responsible for weekly inventory of all bar related products, eliminating excess waste and controlling costs.

SHIFT LEADER/ BARTENDER
Newport News, VA
01.1997 - 03.2002
  • Responsible for the efficient, productive operation of each shift and making sure staff was adequately prepared for the day.
  • Created long lasting and loyal relationships with guests through hard work and positive attitude Proactive in anticipating guests’ needs and fulfilling them accordingly Maintained integrity of the restaurant through knowledgeable in ABC laws and requirements, using good judgement when needed on guests Accountable for budget and inventory of bar products and supplies Handled on average $5k-$10K daily depending on business.

SERVER Cheddar's Restaurant
Newport News, VA
01.1996 - 01.1997
  • Responsible for greeting guests as well as meeting their expectations and needs throughout the dining experience Maintained side-work throughout the shift as well as cash handling procedures.

BARTENDER Rock Ola Café Newport News
, VA
02.1995 - 01.1996
  • Met guests expectations and needs, efficiently serving them and maintaining high levels of customer service Prepared drinks to company/guest specification ensuring accuracy of order Maintained a clean and welcoming work space to meet with health code guidelines and customer expectations.

SERVER Ruby Tuesday Newport News
, VA
01.1991 - 01.1994
  • Greeted guests and met their needs and expectations throughout their dining experience Responsible for maintaining a clean section and completing additional side-work throughout the shift as well as cash handling procedures.

Education

General Studies

Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, VA

Zumba Food Drive - Organizer 2011 & 2012 -

2015

Zumba Lovefest - Organizer - undefined

2014

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Latinfest
2012

Skills

  • Department Oversight
  • Focus and Follow-Through
  • Sales Tracking
  • Originality and Creativity

REFERENCES

LORA GOOKIN, OWNER

GATEAU BAKERY AND TEAROOM

EMAIL: GATEAUVA@GMAIL.COM

(540)347-9188

AMANDA LAYES, IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER

MAJOR BUISNESS UPMARKET CENTRAL REGION

EMAIL: MANDYLAYES@GMAIL.COM

(757)-617-1984

CORIN GIBSON, GENERAL MANAGER

MELLOW MUSHROOM

EMAIL: CORIN247@YAHOO.COM

(757)329-4221

LOUISE HARBOUR

CHIPOTLE

EMAIL: LHARBOUR68@GMAIL.COM

(757)553-0045

CHIP CHASE

EMAIL: 4CHASES@GMAIL.COM

(757)404-8218

Timeline

GENERAL MANAGER

BLACK BEAR BISTRO
09.2021 - 06.2022

FOH Manager

Gateau Cafe Bakery And Tea Room
10.2018 - 03.2020

GENERAL MANAGER

Ruby Tuesday Restaurant
10.2016 - 10.2017

ASSISTANT MANAGER

03.2016 - 10.2016

PERSONAL TRAINER and GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

ONELIFE FITNESS
04.2010 - 03.2016

GENERAL MANAGER

Hampton/Newport News
03.2003 - 01.2010

MANAGER

03.2002 - 03.2003

SHIFT LEADER/ BARTENDER
01.1997 - 03.2002

SERVER Cheddar's Restaurant
01.1996 - 01.1997

BARTENDER Rock Ola Café Newport News
02.1995 - 01.1996

SERVER Ruby Tuesday Newport News
01.1991 - 01.1994

General Studies

Thomas Nelson Community College

Zumba Food Drive - Organizer 2011 & 2012 -

Zumba Lovefest - Organizer - undefined

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Latinfest

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TARA STELLON