Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Additionalinformation - Achievements
Timeline
Generic
Kaori Lugo

Kaori Lugo

New York,NY

Summary

Dedicated, kind and ambitious fine dining host/maitre'd with experience in multiple FOH capacities and a penchant for wine studies. Using various skills and years of experience helping manage and run a private investigation firm to make the transition into the world of fine dining. A natural born leader who stops at nothing yet is willing to listen, learn, and adapt from her peers around her for the overall success of the company, but most importantly the satisfaction of her guests.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Server

Tsukimi
10.2024 - Current


  • Delivered an exceptional dining experience in a Michelin-starred Japanese omakase setting, fostering an intimate and welcoming environment for guests.
  • Demonstrated extensive knowledge of Japanese cuisine, including seasonal ingredients, preparation techniques, and beverage pairings, to educate and guide guests through the multi-course menu.
  • Maintained a polished and professional demeanor in a high-pressure, fine-dining environment, ensuring seamless coordination between the front of house and kitchen staff.
  • Cultivated meaningful guest interactions by personalizing service, anticipating needs, and enhancing the overall dining experience.
  • Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently.
  • Printed dining checks with total due, collected beverage payments and offered receipts to complete transactions.

Server/Bartender

ODRE
08.2024 - 10.2024
  • Ensured server stations were well-stocked, maintained mise en place, kept menus clean, and reset tables efficiently
  • Leveraged extensive knowledge of the menu, dietary restrictions, and wine/beer/soju to tailor the dining experience for guests, while effectively upselling when possible
  • Managed bar inventory, ensuring timely restocking of supplies and maintaining a clean and organized workspace
  • Monitored guest satisfaction and responded promptly to any requests or concerns, ensuring a memorable experience from start to finish
  • Engaged with guests to create a friendly and inviting atmosphere, sharing knowledge about cocktail pairings and upcoming menu changes to enhance their overall experience and returnability
  • Studied and understood ingredient prefixes, improving my ability to identify what each ingredient does in a product

Host

Jeju Noodle Bar
01.2024 - 07.2024
  • Delivered genuine hospitality towards guests while maintaining professionalism with staff in accordance to company standards
  • Effective listener and communicator with international bi-lingual guests, which helped servers unify the experience
  • Assisted other staff in completing turns during peak periods enabling higher cover counts through walk-ins
  • Ensured knowledge of menu, supplements and restaurant history
  • Responsible for tidiness of guest waiting areas, restrooms, menu cleanliness and restocking for next service

Maitre'd

Keens Steakhouse
06.2023 - 01.2024
  • In charge of setting/managing seating plans via Resy platform based on projected cover count/walk-ins (400+ average covers)
  • Assigned server sections based on scheduling and covers, helping manage labor and improve efficiency
  • Updated and maintained guest profiles at end of shift with any information to familiarize staff with guest preferences/needs for future visits
  • Booked reservations for returning guests, accommodated VIPs, and managed waitlists/notifies
  • Responsible for onboarding and training new hosts, following up on duties such as bathroom checks and coatroom cleanliness
  • Printed menus/wine lists and ensured accuracy of items listed
  • Assisted team in setup/breakdown of sections and any associated side work at the end of shift, streamlining daily operations

Host/Food Runner/Server

Marta
10.2021 - 08.2023
  • Greeted guests and took names for any pending waitlists
  • Worked with servers to ensure turns and accommodated any walk-ins
  • Utilized Toast terminal during peak hours to process and dispatch takeout/delivery orders increasing total net sales for the restaurant
  • Assisted in setting up PDR for buyouts & events; ensured settings adhered to company standards
  • Knowledgeable on menu/allergies/wine program to curate an experience based on guest preferences/allergies and upsold when possible
  • Responsible for server station restock, mise en place, menu cleanliness and table resets
  • Handled food in accordance with sanitary procedures and standards in compliance with local health laws

Office Manager

Aye Spy Investigations
04.2020 - 05.2023
  • Managed CEO's calendar, served important/sensitive documents and met with lawyers at courts weekly as an intermediary with the company
  • Liaised with contractors to schedule certified fireguards, security officers and instructors to job sites based on job availability
  • Assisted in instructing prospective security guards resulting in successful certifications as a result
  • Scheduled office staff of 10 and planned security guard classes with the CEO to optimize time management and workflow
  • Responsible for processing and maintaining records of client's payments/fees ensuring business profitability

Receptionist/Fingerprint Technician

Aye Spy Investigations
06.2017 - 04.2020
  • Greeted over 100 prospective clients per day with professionalism while routing phone calls and messages to appropriate departments within the company
  • Processed fingerprinting for Identogo whilst adhering to strict protocols ensuring accuracy and proper procedure resulting in successful applications
  • Facilitated organization of court filings, documents, and dates according to company standards
  • Delegated and oversaw handling/destruction of sensitive personal information
  • Managed any guest inquiries, relations, and assisted in mitigating any issues which helped business retain prestige

Education

Introductory Sommelier -

CMS - America
01.2025

Fire Guard Certifications F-01 to F-04/W-07 - undefined

FDNY Public Certification Unit
01.2025

NYS Certified Notary Public -

New York Dept. of State
08-2024

NYSATAP Bartending Certification -

ABC Bartending School
04-2024

NYS Regents Diploma - undefined

Felisa Rincon de Gautier HS
06.2012

Skills

  • Guest Oriented
  • Detailed
  • Organized
  • Time Management
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Record Keeping
  • Adaptability
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Resy
  • SevenRooms
  • Tock
  • ToastPOS

Personal Information

Title: Server/Bartender

Additionalinformation - Achievements

  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (2022-Current)
  • National Society of Leadership & Success (2023-Current)

Timeline

Server

Tsukimi
10.2024 - Current

Server/Bartender

ODRE
08.2024 - 10.2024

Host

Jeju Noodle Bar
01.2024 - 07.2024

Maitre'd

Keens Steakhouse
06.2023 - 01.2024

Host/Food Runner/Server

Marta
10.2021 - 08.2023

Office Manager

Aye Spy Investigations
04.2020 - 05.2023

Receptionist/Fingerprint Technician

Aye Spy Investigations
06.2017 - 04.2020

Fire Guard Certifications F-01 to F-04/W-07 - undefined

FDNY Public Certification Unit

NYS Regents Diploma - undefined

Felisa Rincon de Gautier HS

Introductory Sommelier -

CMS - America

NYS Certified Notary Public -

New York Dept. of State

NYSATAP Bartending Certification -

ABC Bartending School

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Kaori Lugo