Brandon Whitley
Summary
Hospitality industry professional with proven track record of delivering premium wine recommendations and exceptional high end service. Expertise in wine curation, education, service, sales, and inventory management. Known for strong collaboration skills, teamwork mentality, adaptability to changing needs, and results-driven approach.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Sommelier
Massara Osteria Campania
06.2024 - Current
- Developed and maintained an extensive wine list, catering to varied tastes and price points for optimal selection.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by recommending and pairing wines with menu items based on individual preferences.
- Established lasting relationships with winemakers, importers, distributors, allowing access to limited-production wines or early releases unavailable elsewhere.
- Conducted regular staff training sessions on wine knowledge, enabling team members to provide excellent service to guests.
- Promoted special wine menu for holidays to complement chef's dinner specialties.
- Increased wine sales by effectively presenting a diverse range of options to customers, showcasing knowledge and expertise.
Wine Consultant
Self-employed
08.2024 - Current
- Coordinated wine selection and restocking for cellar with over 300 bottle sku's.
- Created, organized and consistently upheld management of bin system, wine list, and notating low counts and 86's- ensuring ease of use and continuity of service for the floor team.
- Assisted in budget management by monitoring expenditures related to wine purchasing while maintaining quality standards.
- Performed regular inventory audits to maintain accurate records of stock levels and prevent discrepancies.
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring access to high-quality wines at competitive prices.
- Demonstrated expertise in rare and collectible wines, offering personalized consultations for private collectors.
- Monitored conditions of wine cellar, keeping all bottles stored at appropriate temperature.
- Organized routine and special event orders to keep adequate inventory for forecasted needs.
Sommelier
Lola Taverna/Cucina Alba-Prince Street Hospitality
11.2021 - 05.2024
- Trained service staff on wines, spirits and cocktails to maximize revenue and maintain stellar reputation for service. This includes creating educational documents and matrixes for the staff for reference on the floor and for study on personal time.
- Handled questions and concerns skillfully and redirected customers toward higher profit items to increase per-ticket revenue and meet sales averages required by management.
- Managed cellar and beverage storage maintenance to prevent inventory spoilage.
- Monitored conditions of wine cellar, keeping all bottles stored at appropriate temperature.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, specializing in the area of wine, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Developed and maintained an extensive wine list, catering to varied tastes and price points for optimal selection.
Sommelier/Server
L'amico
04.2019 - 11.2021
- Trained service staff on wines, spirits and cocktails to maximize revenue and maintain stellar reputation for service.
- Handled questions and concerns skillfully and redirected customers toward higher profit items to increase per-ticket revenue.
- Managed cellar and beverage storage maintenance to prevent inventory spoilage.
- Coordinated wine selection and restocking for cellar with over 750 bottle sku's.
- Represented establishment professionally with guests and earned consistent repeat and referral business.
- Established myself as an asset to the company. Consistently working my way up from lunch server, to dinner server, to eventually being promoted to Sommelier and stepping up as acting beverage director during periods the company was without leadership.
Server
La Bergamote
04.2019 - 11.2021
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
Events Server
Top Shelf Staffing
09.2017 - 08.2020
- Supported events execution and venue set up and tear down.
- Arranged linens and table settings according to seating plan and event theme.
- Served appetizers, delivered entrees and refilled beverages for banquet guests.
- Cleared dishes and glassware quickly following each course.
- Presented food and beverages on buffet tables and drink stations in line with formality and specifications of each event.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Musical Theater
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX05.2015
Skills
- Wine tasting expertise
- Wine service management
- Cellar management
- Staff training and development
- Inventory management
- Wine list management
- Supplier relationship management
References
Vito Centrone- 917-940-9009
Trisha Hitko- 347-721-5723
Chai Tzola- 347-702-0866
Timeline
Wine Consultant
Self-employed
08.2024 - Current
Sommelier
Massara Osteria Campania
06.2024 - Current
Sommelier
Lola Taverna/Cucina Alba-Prince Street Hospitality
11.2021 - 05.2024
Sommelier/Server
L'amico
04.2019 - 11.2021
Server
La Bergamote
04.2019 - 11.2021
Events Server
Top Shelf Staffing
09.2017 - 08.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Musical Theater
Sam Houston State University
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