Adam Knight
Delafield,WI
Summary
Professional hospitality worker with experience successfully serving customers in busy, fine dining restaurants. Recognized for significantly increasing guest check averages by promoting appetizers, specialty items and unique wine selections. Well-versed in food and beverage operations and guest services. Experienced in managing large-scale events or intimate gourmet dining. Successful at building relationships with customers to increase loyalty and repeat business. Organized and efficient with experience in a variety of restaurant environments. Effective facilitator of rapid table turnover, boosting volume and increasing sales opportunities. Proven track record in ensuring exceptional customer service and satisfaction. Strong focus on teamwork and adaptability, consistently meeting changing needs. Skilled in managing multiple tasks, handling customer inquiries, and maintaining clean and organized workspace. Reliable and results-driven, with positive attitude and excellent communication skills.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Server, Bartender, Host, Supervisor
I.d.
Delafield, WI
01.2023 - 01.2026
- Provided exceptional customer service by anticipating needs and ensuring satisfaction in fast-paced environment.
- Trained and mentored new staff on menu offerings and service protocols to enhance team performance.
- Managed multiple tables efficiently, balancing guest requests and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
- Maintained knowledge of daily specials, promotions, and wine pairings to enhance guest dining experiences.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Supported colleagues during peak hours, fostering a collaborative work environment that enhanced overall productivity levels.
- Implemented effective communication strategies between front-of-house and back-of-house staff for streamlined operations.
- Maximized table turnover rate by managing reservations and seating arrangements.
- Ensured customer satisfaction with detailed attention to special dietary needs and preferences.
- Built rapport with guests to enhance their dining experience and encourage return visits.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
- Delivered exceptional customer service, fostering repeat business and positive reviews.
Sales Representative
104.5 WSLD
Whitewater, WI
05.2022 - 10.2022
- Developed and maintained strong client relationships to drive repeat business.
- Cultivated deep understanding of product features to answer questions and overcome objections.
- Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
- Selected correct products based on customer needs, product specifications and applicable regulations.
- Identified new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, marketing and prospective database leads.
- Performed effectively in self-directed work environment, managing day-to-day operations and decisions.
- Informed customers of promotions to increase sales productivity and volume.
- Met existing customers to review current services and expand sales opportunities.
Sales Representative
Johnson Brothers of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI
06.2021 - 05.2022
- Identified customer needs and provided tailored solutions to enhance satisfaction.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline sales processes and increase efficiency.
- Managed key accounts, ensuring consistent communication and support for client success.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and providing exceptional service.
- Generated additional sales opportunities with upselling and cross-selling techniques.
- Expanded customer base through cold calling, networking, and relationship building.
- Conducted product demonstrations to educate customers on features, benefits, and competitive advantages.
- Performed effectively in self-directed work environment, managing day-to-day operations and decisions.
- Fostered lasting relationships with customers through effective communication and quick response, resulting in long-term loyalty and expanded client base.
- Negotiated prices, terms of sales and service agreements.
- Informed customers of promotions to increase sales productivity and volume.
- Maintained current knowledge of evolving changes in marketplace.
- Met existing customers to review current services and expand sales opportunities.
- Attended monthly sales meetings and quarterly sales trainings.
- Kept detailed records of daily activities through online customer database.
Server
Abbey Springs
Fontana, WI
05.2017 - 06.2021
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, liquor and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Quickly and clearly communicated dining orders to kitchen staff, directing attention to special requests or dietary restrictions.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items and recorded order information.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
Bartender/Consultant
Jack Rabbit Fizz
Elkhorn, WI
03.2018 - 09.2018
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits.
- Kept alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers and taking inventory.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Polished glassware, bussed tables and removed debris to keep customer areas clean.
- Developed drink menu with creative cocktails, contemporary wines and craft beers.
- Set up bar for operation, obtained cash bank and stocked service bar.
Server
The Geneva Inn
Lake Geneva, WI
04.2012 - 12.2017
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to provide guests with excellent experiences and foster repeat business.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
- Moved and set up seating, prepared extra silverware and glassware prior to arrival of large groups.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Scheduled numerous reservations and managed seating arrangements simultaneously in high-traffic fine dining restaurant while maintaining calm, professional demeanor.
Education
Associate of Science - Horticulture
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WISkills
- Food and beverage pairings
- Dining area maintenance
- Beverage preparation
- To-Go Order Preparation
- Hospitality Service Expertise
- Guest Seating Arrangements
- Banquet coordination
- Food running
- Table Setting Knowledge
- Bill Computation
- Daily Specials Memorization
- Wine Service
- Strong work ethic
- Exceptional customer service
- Guest engagement
- Menu memorization
- Tableside etiquette
- Task prioritization
- Guest seating
- Positive and professional
- Menu item recommendation
- Check payment processing
- Specials promotion
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Team collaboration
Timeline
Server, Bartender, Host, Supervisor
I.d.
01.2023 - 01.2026
Sales Representative
104.5 WSLD
05.2022 - 10.2022
Sales Representative
Johnson Brothers of Wisconsin
06.2021 - 05.2022
Bartender/Consultant
Jack Rabbit Fizz
03.2018 - 09.2018
Server
Abbey Springs
05.2017 - 06.2021
Server
The Geneva Inn
04.2012 - 12.2017
Associate of Science - Horticulture
Gateway Technical College