April Stroub
Lansing,MI
Summary
Proven track record in enhancing customer satisfaction and streamlining service operations, demonstrated during my tenure at Desis's Family Dining and Cocktails. Skilled in POS system operations and exceptional customer service, I excel in high-volume dining environments, achieving a significant improvement in guest engagement. My strong work ethic and hospitality service expertise have consistently elevated dining experiences. Hardworking professional with proven relationship-building and time management skills in fast-paced restaurant environments. Successful at handling tables of all sizes with accuracy and impeccable service skills. Strives to meet customer needs, drive satisfaction and promote long-term loyalty.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Server
Desis's Family Dining and Cocktails
Oscoda, MI
07.2021 - 10.2024
- Set up tables in between patrons to reduce wait times.
- Followed health safety guidelines when preparing and serving food products.
- Prepared drinks according to standard recipes.
- Satisfied customers by topping off drinks and offering condiments, napkins and other items.
- Displayed enthusiasm and knowledge about restaurant's menu and products.
- Stayed informed about daily specials, new menu items, promotions.
- Presented menus and answered questions regarding items.
- Trained new employees on restaurant procedures and plating techniques.
- Served food and beverages to patrons and confirmed complete orders.
- Enforced minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages by checking identification.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely preparation and delivery of orders.
- Circulated within assigned areas to assess and address customer needs, effectively prioritizing tasks during peak hours.
- Brought wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses and poured for customers.
- Assisted in training new servers.
- Checked with guests to get feedback on food served, resolve issues, bring additional items and refill beverages.
- Delivered food orders promptly and courteously.
- Greeted guests and provided menus.
- Accurately recorded orders on cash register and point-of-sale system.
- Greeted customers, answered questions and recommended specials to increase profits.
- Handled money transactions accurately while following company procedures for handling cash payments.
- Checked identification to verify if guests meet minimum age to legally purchase or consume alcoholic beverages.
- Trained new employees to perform duties.
- Filled condiments and napkin containers during slack periods.
- Responded efficiently to guest inquiries and complaints in a professional manner.
- Addressed complaints to kitchen staff and served replacement items.
- Assisted in preparing salads, appetizers and desserts to speed up food service.
- Completed cleaning duties by sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet and tidying up server stations.
- Arranged place settings with clean tablecloths, napkins and tableware to prepare for incoming guests.
- Communicated effectively with kitchen staff regarding customer allergies or special requests.
- Served food and beverages to patrons and immediately remedied issues with orders.
- Explained menu items, describing ingredients and cooking methods upon request.
- Maintained polite and professional demeanor to patrons to encourage inquiries and order placements.
- Provided excellent customer service to ensure satisfaction.
- Promoted desserts, appetizers, and specialty drinks to optimize sales.
- Checked food before serving it to customers.
- Collected dirty dishes and glasses from tables or counters, preparing areas for next diners.
- Provided exceptional service to high volume of daily customers.
- Monitored dining room for cleanliness and proper set-up at all times.
- Operated POS terminals to input orders, split bills and calculate totals.
- Checked with customers to determine satisfaction with meals, promptly taking action to correct problems.
- Garnished dishes and beverages to serve visually appealing menu items.
- Took orders from customers accurately and in a timely manner.
- Performed opening and closing duties such as setting up the dining area, restocking supplies.
- Upheld high standards of sanitation in accordance with health department regulations.
- Collaborated with other restaurant staff members to ensure efficient operations within the restaurant environment.
- Implemented feedback from customers to improve service quality and menu offerings.
- Maintained knowledge of current menu items, garnishes, ingredients, and preparation methods.
- Communicated with hosts, bussers and kitchen staff to prepare for and serve customers.
- Developed rapport with guests and assisted in generating repeat business by providing exceptional customer service.
- Prepared checks, itemizing total meal costs and taxes.
- Took reservations and to-go orders to streamline process for both customer and restaurant.
- Cleaned tables and chairs to prepare dining area for next customers.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
Server
Mancinos of Oscoda
Oscoda, MI
06.2020 - 07.2021
- Set up tables in between patrons to reduce wait times.
- Followed health safety guidelines when preparing and serving food products.
- Prepared drinks according to standard recipes.
- Displayed enthusiasm and knowledge about restaurant's menu and products.
- Satisfied customers by topping off drinks and offering condiments, napkins and other items.
- Explained menu options to guests, offered suggestions and took orders for food and beverages.
- Presented menus and answered questions regarding items.
- Stayed informed about daily specials, new menu items, promotions.
- Responded to ad hoc cleaning duties at end of shift.
- Stocked service areas with supplies during slow periods.
- Informed customers of daily specials and signature menu items.
- Trained new employees on restaurant procedures and plating techniques.
- Served food and beverages to patrons and confirmed complete orders.
Quality Control Inspector
Ventra Ionia Main
Ionia, MI
08.2017 - 01.2020
- Wrote detailed reports outlining performance, quality and defect rates.
- Compared product and materials colors, shapes, textures and grades with predetermined templates.
- Notified supervisors or other relevant personnel of test or production issues.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve complex problems related to product design or manufacturing processes.
- Calibrated products to match design and operational specifications.
- Noted changes during testing in project documentation.
- Identified production concerns and worked with supervisors to understand and remedy situations.
Baker/Manager of Operations
Shepherdsville Party Stroe
Ovid, MI
08.2015 - 07.2017
- Coordinated supplies, placed orders and managed stock on hand for bakery.
- Adhered to safety protocols to minimize mishaps and accidents with baking equipment.
- Checked baked goods periodically during baking process to ensure desired results were achieved.
- Measured out ingredients accurately to ensure consistent product quality.
- Cleaned work areas, utensils, equipment and surfaces between batches of products.
- Blended ingredients and mixed dough, following recipes.
- Ensured that all health regulations were followed at all times while working in the kitchen.
- Evaluated raw ingredients and baked goods, assessing for quality control purposes.
- Measured, mixed and prepped raw materials according to company specifications and recipes.
- Exhibited thorough knowledge of foods, beverages, supervisory duties, service techniques, and guest interactions.
- Measured and weighed ingredients to prepare dough for recipes.
- Organized store by returning merchandise to proper areas and restocked displays.
- Adhered to company policies regarding storage, handling and preparation of food items.
- Placed dough in pans, molds and sheets and monitored products during baking to adjust temperature.
- Operated ovens and other equipment to bake products according to established recipes.
- Monitored color of baking items to raise or lower temperature or remove from oven.
- Met with customers to discuss needed bakery items and take orders.
- Utilized measuring instruments, commercial-grade mixers and ovens to bake cakes and pastries.
Asst Manager
Farmers Gas and Oil
Carson City, MI
10.2002 - 06.2014
- Checked casting equipment at beginning of shift to verify proper machine functionality and resolve identified malfunctions.
- Resolved conflicts between cast members when necessary by facilitating positive communication.
- Inventoried and recorded quantities of materials and finished products, requisitioning additional supplies.
- Communicated regularly with producers regarding any changes in casting decisions or scheduling issues.
Bartender/Server
Pinehurst Inn
Indian River, MI
06.1998 - 09.2003
- Adhered to state regulations regarding serving alcohol responsibly.
- Cleaned up spills and broken glassware and safely disposed of sharp pieces.
- Introduced bar staff to precision pouring and waste reduction tactics to lower liquor costs.
- Performed opening and closing duties including restocking supplies.
- Prepared alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages according to recipe standards.
- Poured wine, beer and cocktails for patrons.
- Recommended food and drinks to patrons based on preference, pairings and special promotions.
- Monitored guests' alcohol consumption levels to prevent over-intoxication or underage drinking.
- Checked identification cards for proof of age prior to serving alcohol beverages.
- Processed payments accurately and efficiently with POS system.
- Remained calm and poised during busy periods, promoting great customer service to guests.
- Worked in close collaboration with team members to ensure customers received high-quality service.
- Checked identification of guests to verify age requirements for alcohol purchase.
- Cleansed glasses with sanitizing solution after each use.
- Measured and mixed house ingredients to prepare both custom and menu drink orders.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing intoxication and handling intoxicated guests.
- Kept track of bar tabs and transferred open tabs to dining area for wait staff.
- Arranged bottles and glasses behind bar to make attractive displays.
- Developed good working relationships with fellow employees through effective communication.
- Described drink flavors and taste profiles to customers to help with ordering decisions.
- Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions.
- Prepared cocktails from bar recipes and served wine, draft and bottled beer.
- Effectively multitasked within fast-paced environment.
- Maintained safety and sanitation standards with firm enforcement amongst bar staff.
- Stayed up-to-date on latest mixology trends, bar equipment, and sanitation standards.
- Made friendly conversation with customers to provide enjoyable bar experience.
- Mixed and served both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for patrons by following standard recipes and procedures.
- Carefully inspected identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Attended regular training sessions to stay updated on new products or trends.
- Greeted frequent visitors by name and explained new promotions.
- Participated in weekly team meetings to discuss goals and objectives set by management.
- Managed cash drawer at the end of each shift ensuring accuracy of funds received.
- Collected and organized daily till totals and tips.
- Neatly sliced and pitted fruit for garnishing drinks.
- Assisted in setting up the bar for service shift.
- Organized storeroom inventory of supplies such as cups, napkins, straws.
- Maintained inventory of liquor, beer, wine, and other beverage items.
- Kept track of all orders made by customers and communicated them promptly to kitchen staff.
Education
High School Diploma -
Humanist Haven
Carson City, MI08-2017
Skills
- Hostess support
- Order delivery practices
- Table resetting
- Food inspection
- Daily specials memorization
- Team member support
- Point-of-sale system
- Strong work ethic
- Service prioritization
- Order accuracy
- Guest engagement
- Exceptional customer service
- Table bussing
- Safe food handling
- Food and beverage pairings
- Take-out service
- Positive guest interactions
- Buffet setup and takedown
- Food running
- High volume dining
- Allergy awareness
- Point of sale (POS) system operations
- Dining customer service
- Order management
- Shift management
- Effective customer upselling
- Liquor, wine, and food service
- Hospitality service expertise
Certification
Save serve certificate valid until 2027
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Server
Desis's Family Dining and Cocktails
07.2021 - 10.2024
Server
Mancinos of Oscoda
06.2020 - 07.2021
Quality Control Inspector
Ventra Ionia Main
08.2017 - 01.2020
Baker/Manager of Operations
Shepherdsville Party Stroe
08.2015 - 07.2017
Asst Manager
Farmers Gas and Oil
10.2002 - 06.2014
Bartender/Server
Pinehurst Inn
06.1998 - 09.2003
High School Diploma -
Humanist Haven