Ariel Booker
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Ariel is a result-driven professional to manage banquet execution and expense control procedures including staffing, inventory, guest retention strategies. I am proficient in guest interaction, team communication and researching account transactions, demonstrating a keen ability to recognize and resolve discrepancies.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Banquets/ F&B Manager
Renaissance Hotel - Atlanta Midtown
06.2022 - Current
- Supervises wait staff and set up staff
- Trains all set up and wait staff
- Ensures that waiters and waitresses are ready to serve meal when it is prepared.
- Earned recognition from senior management for exemplary project management skills displayed during high-profile events.
- Improved guest satisfaction scores by soliciting feedback from attendees post-event, incorporating suggestions into future planning efforts where applicable.
- Managed budgets and finances for multiple events concurrently, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and timely payment of invoices.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors and suppliers, securing high-quality services at competitive rates.
- Enhanced attendee experiences by meticulously coordinating all event logistics and ensuring seamless execution.
- Established clear lines of communication with stakeholders throughout the planning process, garnering trust and fostering collaboration among team members.
- Minimized disruption by proactively identifying potential risks and developing contingency plans accordingly.
- Organized productive pre-and post-event meetings with clients to establish expectations, review outcomes, and discuss potential opportunities for future collaboration.
- Championed the use of event management software, streamlining internal processes and improving overall team efficiency.
- Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
- Managed event logistics and operations.
- Reviewed event bills to confirm accuracy and approve payment.
- Trained and supervised event staff to complete tasks on time.
Banquet Captain/Accounting Specialist
Copelands of New Orleans
11.2019 - 07.2022
- Handle cash and credit cards to finalize sales for the wait staff/to-go orders
- Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders.
- Improved financial accuracy by performing detailed account reconciliations and resolving discrepancies.
- Reported financial data and updated financial records in ledgers and journals.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced manual tasks for the accounting team, freeing up time for higher-value activities.
- Maintained clear communication channels between all departments involved in banquets, contributing to successful event outcomes.
- Ensured timely preparation of function spaces according to client specifications, providing them a hassle-free experience on their special day.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by overseeing banquet operations and ensuring smooth execution of events.
- Organized and oversaw food service training to educate employees on resetting tables, relaying orders to cooks and upselling food and beverages.
- Resolved customer complaints effectively, turning potentially negative experiences into opportunities for improvement.
- Oversaw timeliness and quality of food delivery at high-volume events.
- Promoted team collaboration among banquet staff members through effective leadership practices that fostered a supportive work environment.
- Streamlined setup processes to optimize room turnover times between events, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Set and enforced performance and service standards to keep consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction.
- Set up and broke down conference and banquet rooms to meet facility standards and specifications.
- Organized banquet storage and surrounding areas to facilitate access to products and materials.
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
- Handled client inquiries promptly and professionally, fostering excellent rapport and driving repeat business.
Assistant Manager / Team Lead/ Event Captain
Topgolf Midtown
10.2017 - 11.2021
- Supervise the team in providing best-in-class service on a daily basis
- Perform other operational duties as assigned.
Executive Assistant
Leppard Johnson & Associates
08.2015 - 09.2018
- Maintain and coordinate executive and senior management vacation, day-to-day meeting and travel schedules
- Collaborate with other administrative team members, human resources and the finance department on special projects and events.
Office Manager
Front Row Seats, LLC
02.2007 - 07.2015
- Provided high level administrative support to the Owner/President and sustainability
- Acted as a liaison between senior management, employees and clients to ensure proper lines of communication critical in addressing myriad problems and issues requiring immediate attention and resolve.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
01.2008
BS - Computer Information Systems
01.2005
- Honors: Graduated Summa Cu Laude
- Degree achieved while working full-time.
Skills
- Cheerful and friendly personality regardless of frustrating situations or long work hours
- Able to listen attentively in chaotic situations and retain information
- Passionate about high quality and proper presentation
- Excellent at multitasking and staying focused while maintaining high standards of cleanliness
- Superior problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Stamina to handle long, busy periods of work
- Exceptional at working as part of a team
- Punctual and 100% accountable
- Maintains constant communication with guests and on-site contact to ensure all expectations are met or exceeded
- Remains alert of complaints and or/unsatisfied guests and responds appropriately to ensure guest satisfaction
- Coordinates with other departments to arrange for the delivery of requested services
- Ensures all functions are set and staff is prepared and organized before required time on Banquet Event Order
- Inspects table place settings, including table linen, china, glass, silverware and condiments for correct placement and ensures that each element is clean, undamaged and attractive
- Ensures proper setting of buffet tables and other food service tables
- Maintains constant contact with kitchen staff to ensure complete effective Ensures all functions are set and staff is prepared and organized before required time on Banquet Event Order
- Ensures proper table settings of buffet tables and other food service tables between food production and food service
- Strategic Planning
- Business Administration
- Staff Development
- Staff Management
- Project Management
- Team Operations
- Staff Coordination
- Operations Management
- Computer Skills
- Team Leadership
- Customer Service
- MS Office
- Performance Tracking and Evaluation
- Managing Operations and Efficiency
- Employee Coaching and Mentoring
Accomplishments
Top Banquet Sales Performer of the Year - 2021
Moments that Matter Award of the Year (Guest Satisfaction) - 2023
Skills Assessment
Arranges for and ensures proper sequence of service for each event., Supervises clearing and post function cleanup and garbage removal., Assists with staff training programs., Requisitions additional help as required by banquet schedule., Directs setting up of tables, and decorations., Plans the serving order and orchestrates its completion in a timely, quiet and courteous manner., Attends weekly food and beverage meeting to continuously evaluate strategies and ideas for enhancement to benefit the guest experience., Reviews scheduling and labor needs with Banquet Manager to meet the guests needs as well as maximize efficiency., Works with the Executive Chef to ensure appropriate inventories are stocked including food and beverage., Responsible for preparing event meeting notes for sales managers as well as posting of the banquet events in the POS., Cheerful and friendly personality regardless of frustrating situations or long work hours, Able to listen attentively in chaotic situations and retain information, Passionate about high quality and proper presentation, Excellent at multitasking and staying focused while maintaining high standards of cleanliness, Superior problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, Stamina to handle long, busy periods of work, Exceptional at working as part of a team, Punctual and 100% accountable, Maintains constant communication with guests and on-site contact to ensure all expectations are met or exceeded., Remains alert of complaints and or/unsatisfied guests and responds appropriately to ensure guest satisfaction., Coordinates with other departments to arrange for the delivery of requested services., Ensures all functions are set and staff is prepared and organized before required time on Banquet Event Order., Inspects table place settings, including table linen, china, glass, silverware and condiments for correct placement and ensures that each element is clean, undamaged and attractive., Ensures proper setting of buffet tables and other food service tables., Maintains constant contact with kitchen staff to ensure complete effective Ensures all functions are set and staff is prepared and organized before required time on Banquet Event Order., Inspects table place settings, including table linen, china, glass, silverware and condiments for correct placement and ensures that each element is clean, undamaged and attractive., Ensures proper table settings of buffet tables and other food service tables between food production and food service.
Awards
- Associate of the Year 2018 - Moments That Matter
- Associate of the Month - March 2018
- Event Ambassador of the Week - March 2019
- Highest Sales Performer - February 2018
References
- Kristoff Johnson, Operations Manager, Topgolf, +1 (678) 516-7494
- Edward Lewis, F&B Director, Unknown, +1 (470) 494-0691
Timeline
Assistant Director of Banquets/ F&B Manager - Renaissance Hotel - Atlanta Midtown
06.2022 - Current
Banquet Captain/Accounting Specialist - Copelands of New Orleans
11.2019 - 07.2022
Assistant Manager / Team Lead/ Event Captain - Topgolf Midtown
10.2017 - 11.2021
Executive Assistant - Leppard Johnson & Associates
08.2015 - 09.2018
Office Manager - Front Row Seats, LLC
02.2007 - 07.2015
Keller Graduate School of Management - MBA, Business Administration
DeVry University - BS, Computer Information Systems
Similar Profiles
Diana TavarezDiana Tavarez
Customer Service Representative at Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.Customer Service Representative at Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.
Lauren DwyerLauren Dwyer
Director of Human Resources at Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention CenterDirector of Human Resources at Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center
BRIAN LARSONBRIAN LARSON
Director of Restaurants at Atlanta Renaissance Waverly HotelDirector of Restaurants at Atlanta Renaissance Waverly Hotel
AMAR SEHMIAMAR SEHMI
Senior Software Engineer at BackbaseSenior Software Engineer at Backbase
Nicole WrightNicole Wright
LPN at Wellstar RheumatologyLPN at Wellstar Rheumatology