Adrienne Cooper, CSS, CSW
New York,United States
Summary
Veteran Hospitality Leader with extensive knowledge of wine and spirits and managing evolving customer needs and interests. Adept at training staff for excellence and designing unique, profitable drink menus. Successful at team building through empathetic management techniques and collaborative practices. Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
General Manager
Corkbuzz Wine Studio
06.2023 - 08.2024
- Managed day-to-day operations of the famed wine-centric restaurant located in the historic Chelsea Market
- Collaborated with the Beverage Director and Sommelier Director to execute the owner's vision through our beverage list including wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic selections
- Oversaw FOH & BOH staffing needs from hiring to training, scheduling, and discipline
- Contributed to overall team success by ensuring efficient service delivery across all areas of the establishment
- Engaged with our guests everyday to entertain, educate, and solve problems to ensure a positive and memorable experience
- Collaborated with Events Coordinator to deliver exceptional wine experiences for private parties
- Assisted in maintaining quality and cleanliness standards for kitchen, resulting in an A grade from the DOH. Additionally, collaborated with Executive Chef on inventory management and product procurement.
- Oversaw growth of original restaurant, adding 12 seats and introducing a Cheese/Charcuterie kitchen
- Established strategic partnerships with local tour companies and hospitality organizations to organize networking and educational events.
East Coast & Specialty Wine & Spirits Buyer
67 Wine & Spirits
11.2021 - 05.2023
- Curated New York & East Coast wine selections and bitters for both in-store and online sales. Crafted compelling descriptions and promotional content, resulting in a doubling of section sales.
- Recognized by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation for my contributions to the New York Wine section, receiving the Unity Retailer Award at the 2023 BEV NY conference.
- Worked together with buyers across different departments to showcase wines made by Vanguard Vintners, specifically from underrepresented communities including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Female producers.
- Offered personalized guidance to customers regarding their wine and spirits selections, providing pairing suggestions and details about the products.
- Ensured proper system entry of received inventory
Brand Manager, Catering Sales, and Office Admin
Red Hook Lobster Pound
08.2019 - 11.2021
- Collaborated with ownership and management to generate and distribute content across social channels, websites, and email.
- Managed all aspects of the catering program, including menu and package creation, promotion, handling inquiries, closing deals, and following up.
- Maintained important project, customer, and HR databases
- Assisted in office and HR tasks including obtaining necessary certifications from local governments and meeting company standards.
Food and Beverage Consultant
Bettolona
04.2015 - 04.2020
- Developed menus, happy hour programs, and the restaurant's online presence alongside ownership
- Assisted staff training and introduced special entertainment programs
- Generated press mentions and write-ups to increase awareness of the restaurant.
Founder, Brand Manager, & Tour Guide
Fun Foodie NYC Tours
11.2012 - 12.2019
- I created and led seasonally-inspired walking food tours throughout New York City
- Telling the stories of the culinary landscape through the histories of the city and the passions of the food and beverage professionals who feed us.
Culinary Assistant
Pamela Morgan Lifestyle
08.2017 - 01.2019
- Contributed to various writing projects, conducted recipe testing, oversaw event management for social gatherings, and maintained social media channels.
- Organized multiple video shoots with various individuals in health and cooking industries, collaborating closely with producers, directors, guests, florists, stylists.
Brand Ambassador
Hella Cocktail Co.
09.2016 - 06.2017
- Educated and informed customers about the company's bitters, syrups, and cocktail mixers at diverse retail locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Catering Captain/ Bartender/Server
Great Performances
09.2012 - 03.2015
- In addition to service, I collaborated with team members to maximize event success by expertly coordinating logistics such as venue setup, equipment rental, transportation arrangements, and staffing schedules.
Catering/Convention Services Assistant
Hyatt Regency
10.2009 - 05.2011
- Delivered high-level assistance to Catering Managers in various markets by overseeing scheduling, follow-up activities, proposal creation, contract negotiations, and hosting site visits.
Banquet Coordinator
Hyatt Regency
02.2008 - 10.2009
- Contributed to the coordination of banquet staff schedules, monitoring payroll activities, and generating daily reports for the operations team
Education
BBA - Hospitality Management
SUNY Delhi College of Technology
Delhi05.2004
Skills
- Leadership and Team Building
- Team Player
- Pricing Strategy
- Quality Control
- Staff Training and Development
- POS System proficiency
- Beverage Cost Control
- Beverage Trends
Affiliations
- Les Dames D'Escoffier New York
- United States Bartenders Guild New York
Certification
- Certified Sherry Wine Specialist, Wine Scholar Guild/House of Lustau, July 2024
- Certified Specialist of Wine, Society of Wine Educators, October 2023
- Qualifying Certificate in Food Protection, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, July 2023
- Certified Specialist of Spirits, Society of Wine Educators, June 2022
Timeline
General Manager
Corkbuzz Wine Studio
06.2023 - 08.2024
East Coast & Specialty Wine & Spirits Buyer
67 Wine & Spirits
11.2021 - 05.2023
Brand Manager, Catering Sales, and Office Admin
Red Hook Lobster Pound
08.2019 - 11.2021
Culinary Assistant
Pamela Morgan Lifestyle
08.2017 - 01.2019
Brand Ambassador
Hella Cocktail Co.
09.2016 - 06.2017
Food and Beverage Consultant
Bettolona
04.2015 - 04.2020
Founder, Brand Manager, & Tour Guide
Fun Foodie NYC Tours
11.2012 - 12.2019
Catering Captain/ Bartender/Server
Great Performances
09.2012 - 03.2015
Catering/Convention Services Assistant
Hyatt Regency
10.2009 - 05.2011
Banquet Coordinator
Hyatt Regency
02.2008 - 10.2009
BBA - Hospitality Management
SUNY Delhi College of Technology