AALAYAH BOWENS
Tallahassee,FL
Summary
Highly skilled and customer-oriented server with over 5 years of experience in fine dining environments. Recognized for delivering impeccable service, cultivating an upscale dining experience, and driving customer satisfaction and repeat business. Adept at building rapport with guests, coordinating with kitchen staff, and managing high-volume service with professionalism and efficiency. Consistently praised for attention to detail, wine and menu knowledge, and seamless execution of service.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Server
The Blu Halo - Fine Dining Restaurant
02.2022 - Current
- Provide exceptional service to high-profile clientele, ensuring every aspect of the dining experience exceeds expectations.
- Deliver extensive knowledge of over 200 wines, making pairing recommendations that increased wine sales by 15%.
- Recognized for receiving the highest guest satisfaction scores and generating repeat business from VIP guests.
- Managed tables in a high-volume, fast-paced fine dining establishment, consistently providing top-tier service to guests.
- Upsold signature dishes and wine pairings, contributing to a 20% increase in average guest check.
- Handled guest complaints with professionalism, turning potentially negative experiences into positive ones, resulting in high guest retention.
- Assisted with private dining events, ensuring seamless service for large groups of guests.
Server Shift Leader
Outback Steakhouse
09.2020 - 07.2021
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Took customers’ food and drink orders.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays and delivery bags.
- Replenished food items, paper products and canned goods to keep pantry well-stocked during busy periods.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Monitored patrons for alcohol intake to appropriate levels and took measures to curtail inappropriate behavior.
Assistant Store Manager
Papa John's Pizza
04.2020 - 03.2020
- Handled open and close store functions.
- Minimized costs of food, beverage, supply, utility and labor.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Maximized quality assurance by completing frequent checks of line.
- Oversaw food preparation and monitored safety protocols.
- Trained staff on proper cooking procedures, safety regulations and productivity strategies.
- Worked with Corporate to maintain efficient provisioning and purchasing of supplies.
- Maintained high standards of food quality by reviewing shipments, overseeing preparation and monitoring food safety.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures and scheduled cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
- Coordinated and organized all restaurant inventory.
- Verified prepared food met all standards for quality and quantity before serving to customers.
- Implemented and monitored portion control strategies to minimize waste.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Coordinated delivery drivers.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions and engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
- Monitored all company inventory to ensure stock levels and databases were updated.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Oversaw inventory and restocked ingredients following First-In First Out (FIFO) method to minimize spoilage.
- Fostered positive working environment through effective communication and time management, which was widely embraced by all kitchen personnel.
- Consistently prepared an average of 17 food orders within 60 minutes.
- Performed cash register operations by applying coupons, giving customer totals and handling cash and credit card payments.
- Reduced customer wait times by quickly and efficiently operating customer window and sales register.
Inventory Associate
RGIS
07.2019 - 03.2020
- Used hand-held devices and computers to record and monitor inventory levels and completed audits to uncover and address inaccuracies
- Maintained inventory count, tracked usage and documented variances
- Managed inventory storage in clean and organized fashion
- Calculated correct order totals, updated accounts and maintained detailed records for inventory management
Crew Member
McDonald's
07.2017 - 04.2018
Supervisor Team Lead
Charlotte Russe
03.2017 - 04.2018
- Monitored tasks of employees to assess information processing and performance to gauge business functions and inefficiencies
- Delivered in-depth training to users for cash register, imparting knowledge of best practices for protecting data and minimizing errors
- Collaborated closely with upper management to drive strategy through development and implementation of new processes
- Assisted with employee performance, corrected problems and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets
- Trained team members in successful strategies to meet operational and sales targets
- Coordinated weekly conferences with store associates to communicate sales and customer service goals
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences
- Answered questions about store policies and concerns to support positive customer experiences
- Maintained customer satisfaction while handling merchandise returns quickly and professionally
- Generated repeat business by developing and maintaining strong team of enthusiastic employees devoted to customer service
- Optimized store displays and appearance via strategic merchandising
- Completed routine store inventories
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards
- Resolved customer service issues promptly
- Submitted orders for new inventory
- Examined merchandise to verify correct pricing and attractive displays
- Coordinated with day management regarding on-going issues
- Promoted business strategy by implementing improvements based on guest feedback
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues and difficult customers
Retail Sales Associate
Charlotte Russe
09.2016 - 02.2017
- Approached browsing customers to initiate conversations to determine buying preferences
- Assisted customers with locating and choosing merchandise in any store department
- Organized store merchandise racks and displays to promote and maintain visually appealing environments
- Supported loss prevention goals by maintaining accurate drawers and monitoring shopper behavior
- Assisted customers with prompt and polite support in-person and via telephone
- Assisted customers by answering questions and fulfilling requests
- Consistently met upsell goals by highlighting target merchandise with strategic promotional approaches
- Provided excellent customer service to cultivate loyalty and satisfaction
- Helped customers complete purchases, locate items and join reward programs to promote loyalty, satisfaction and sales numbers
- Ensured efficient and timely replenishment of sales floor merchandise
- Displayed merchandise by arranging in appealing and orderly way to boost sales
- Generated brand awareness and positive product impressions to increase sales
- Used POS system to process sales, returns, online orders and gift card activations
- Answered product questions with up-to-date knowledge of sales and store promotions
- Completed setup, breakdown and product preparation for promotional displays and in-store demonstrations
Promotional Model
Barbizon Modeling Agency
06.2014 - 08.2015
- Worked at trade shows, customer locations or on marketing shoots
- Assisted in the company's recruitment of models and talent aged 7-17 years old
- Assisted with the supervision of young models to generate leads for Barbizon
- Set up and broke down promotional booths and tents, talked to potential models at promotional events
- Increased brand awareness, conducted field recruiting and attended industry events annually
Education
High School Diploma -
Spring Valley High School
Las Vegas, NV05.2016
Skills
- Food Service
- Customer-oriented
- Team development
- Quality control
- Customer service
- Conflict Resolution
- Team leadership
- Inventory Control
- Cash Handling
- Store Merchandising
- Point of Sale Systems
- Staff Supervision
- Kitchen organization
- Spoilage prevention
- Food inspection
Singer/Songwriter
I write and record as a vocal artist. My music can be found on all digital streaming websites. I am in the process of making an album. I am very proud of my gift.
Timeline
Restaurant Server
The Blu Halo - Fine Dining Restaurant
02.2022 - Current
Server Shift Leader
Outback Steakhouse
09.2020 - 07.2021
Assistant Store Manager
Papa John's Pizza
04.2020 - 03.2020
Inventory Associate
RGIS
07.2019 - 03.2020
Crew Member
McDonald's
07.2017 - 04.2018
Supervisor Team Lead
Charlotte Russe
03.2017 - 04.2018
Retail Sales Associate
Charlotte Russe
09.2016 - 02.2017
Promotional Model
Barbizon Modeling Agency
06.2014 - 08.2015
High School Diploma -
Spring Valley High School
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