Alexandria Donegan
Cleveland,OH
Summary
Attentive and hospitable server with 8+ years delivering exceptional service in the restaurant industry. I have worked as a server in fine dining and casual dining settings, private events, as well as basic bartending. I have also worked as brand ambassador, striving to increase brand awareness and increase sales. I am looking for a customer service based job to build upon my current communication and relationship building skills, and continue to improve in any position I work. A company I can grow in is a plus!
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fine Dining Server
Fahrenheit Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
08.2023 - Current
- Preparing the dining room setting tables and making sure that glassware and silverware are clean polished and correctly positioned
- Provide excellent table side service in a busy upscale restaurant located in the heart of downtown
- Utilize Fahrenheit's 27 steps of service to ensure a high guest satisfaction rate
- Maintaining all knowledge of all menu items, beverages, and wines to assist guest in selections
- As well as memorizing any daily specials to present to guests
- Upselling specialty craft cocktails, wines, specials, desserts, and after dinner drinks to significantly increase check averages
- Assist other servers and team members when necessary resulting in a seamless guest flow
- Complete necessary side work, maintain a clean dining room and server station, close restaurant and reset properly for the following day
- Set up private dining room or rooftops for specialty events
- Setting up tables, decorations, condiments, candles, napkins, service plates, and utensils to create a pleasant atmosphere for dining and entertainment
- Providing bar service to guests during events pouring wine, serving beer and making basic cocktails for guests.
Fine Dining Server
Mia Bella
Cleveland, OH
03.2022 - 08.2023
- Greet and welcome guests, help to explain the menu items, terms, and ingredients
- As well as present daily specials menu
- Make recommendations based on preferences and any dietary restrictions
- Lead server in selling daily specials
- Provide guests with knowledge and assist in choosing beverages, whether it be glasses of wine, bottles, bourbon, or cocktails
- Answer any questions to help aid decision and satisfy specific wants and needs.Provide bottle service to tables, decant and aerate wine if needed
- Continue to pour bottle throughout meal and never leave a wine glass empty
- Ensure top quality service, reset silverware and plates for each course, pre buss, refill water and beverages
- As well connect with guests on more personal level
- Strive to leave every table with an unforgettable experience which cultivates repeat business, and establish regulars that request to dine with me
- Work as a team during daily set up, helping to run food and drinks for co workers throughout shift, staying on top of side work, and thoroughly complete closing duties
- Train incoming employees on steps of service and daily duties by having them shadow me
- Provide menu and wine list notes and pass along as much information as possible to help new team members excel in new fast paced environment.
Server
Heck's Cafe
Cleveland, OH
09.2021 - 04.2022
- Stock server stations, look at reservations for the day, and adequately prepare dinning room for beginning of shift
- Provide outstanding table service, maintained menu knowledge, daily soups and specials and assisted guest in selecting menu items
- Properly set up bar, mixed and served craft cocktails for tables during lunch shift
- Work as a team to assist other servers, help run orders, clean and reset all tables in timely fashion, and start on other cleaning/stocking duties when there is downtime to make closing as fast as possible
- Always keep drinks refilled, tables pre-bussed, ensure tables are satisfied, and deliver exceptional customer service every time to generate repeat business.
Brand Ambassador
JN Promotions
Cleveland, OH
03.2019 - 09.2021
- Representing a particular liquor company and interacting with the specific target market on behalf of the brand at various events and bars
- Provided free samples of product to patrons of bar while communicating information about the product being advertised and the qualities that distinguish it from its competition to create brand preference
- Connecting directly with customers to display a positive brand impression, create buzz, generate leads and ultimately increase sales of the product and brand
- Gather feedback from patrons about product and provide innovative insight
- Take photos at the event with the products and customers to be used to boost the brand image and use for marketing and promotional material.
Server/Bartender
Brickstone
Cleveland, OH
07.2018 - 08.2019
- Stocked and prepared bar for the evening, washed any leftover glasses from previous night, cleaned and mopped at end of shift, let management know of low stock items to order
- Recommend beverage, appetizer, and dessert options to increase check averages
- Verifying age of customers checking ID if looked under 30
- Excelled at upselling customers from shelf to premium brands of liquor
- Prepared alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages for patrons in timely manner, poured drinks using standard pour according to specifications
- Ensured great service and developed relationships with customers to establish regulars and increase bar sales
- POS system experience, handling all cash and credit card transactions, and providing correct change.
Server
Coastal Taco
Cleveland, OH
06.2016 - 10.2018
- Experience working in a fast paced environment multitasking while continuing to pay attention to detail and anticipate guest needs
- Effective interpersonal communication and cooperativeness needed to ensure exceptional service with efficient table turnover time to stay up to pace with waitlist times
- Trained incoming staff on restaurant's practices and procedures to maximize job satisfaction and productivity
- Take food and beverage orders, and ensure excellent timely service so customers want to return and request you for their experience
- POS system experience, handling all cash and credit card transactions, and providing correct change.
Fine Dining Server
Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse
Cleveland, OH
05.2015 - 06.2016
- Worked with other servers to set up restaurant, tables, and prepare for shift and close and clean up restaurant at the end of shift
- Greeted tables and explained the unique Rodizio (all you can eat) dining experience, took beverage and appetizer orders and upsold wines, cocktails, and desserts
- Alerted cooks of any special requests for the meats, work to fix any issues if they occur
- Guaranteed upscale comfortable fine dining experience and maintained professional appearance and mannerism
- POS system experience, handling all cash and credit card transactions, and providing correct change.
Education
Associate in Marketing -
Cuyahoga Community College District
05.2020
Business -
Cleveland State University
12.2017
High School Diploma -
Lakewood High School
05.2016
Skills
- Marketing
- Cash Handling
- Sales Experience
- Restaurant Experience
- Leadership
- Bartending
- Serving Experience
- Upselling
- Basic math
- Customer service
- Communication skills
- POS
- Branding
- Food safety
- Food handling
Certification
- Hootsuite Platform Certification, Present
- Hootsuite Social Marketing Certification
Timeline
Fine Dining Server
Fahrenheit Cleveland
08.2023 - Current
Fine Dining Server
Mia Bella
03.2022 - 08.2023
Server
Heck's Cafe
09.2021 - 04.2022
Brand Ambassador
JN Promotions
03.2019 - 09.2021
Server/Bartender
Brickstone
07.2018 - 08.2019
Server
Coastal Taco
06.2016 - 10.2018
Fine Dining Server
Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse
05.2015 - 06.2016
Associate in Marketing -
Cuyahoga Community College District
Business -
Cleveland State University
High School Diploma -
Lakewood High School