Chad Sandate
San Bernardino,CA
Summary
Dynamic F&B leader at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, recognized for driving a Forbes Four-Star Rating through elite service standards and effective staff mentorship. Proven success in operations management, boosting wine sales, and enhancing guest experiences. Passionate about staff development and operational excellence. Actively seeking a General Manager position to continue driving results and team growth.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
The Pines Steakhouse - Assistant Manager
Yaamava Resort & Casino
Highland, California
03.2025 - Current
- Lead daily front-of-house operations for a Forbes Four-Star fine dining restaurant, ensuring exceptional guest experiences while maintaining luxury service standards and operational excellence.
- Coach, mentor, and develop a team of servers, hosts, bartenders, runners, and support staff through ongoing training, performance evaluations, and career development initiatives.
- Analyze guest feedback, service audits, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and implement corrective action plans.
- Collaborate with culinary, beverage, and casino leadership teams to execute VIP events, private dining experiences, and high-profile guest engagements while ensuring seamless service delivery.
- Oversee staffing, scheduling, and labor allocation to maximize productivity, maintain service standards, and support financial objectives.
- Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and succession planning efforts to build and retain a high-performing hospitality team.
The Pines Steakhouse - F&B Supervisor
Yaamava Resort & Casino
Highland, CA
03.2021 - 03.2025
- Played a key role in The Pines achieving a Forbes Four-Star Rating in its first year pursuing the distinction by upholding elite service standards and leading team performance audits.
- Introduced targeted initiatives to increase wine sales, including upselling techniques and staff wine education—resulting in consistent week-over-week sales growth.
- Partner with GM/AGM in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and supporting the development of new hires through daily follow-ups and mentorship.
- Manage VIP communications by generating weekly reports for upcoming high-profile events and ensuring the team is prepared to deliver exceptional service.
- Ensure full training compliance across the team by overseeing timely completion of required Workday modules.
- Oversee day-to-day operations, including floor planning, team placement, break coordination, and cross-team communication to drive smooth, high-level service.
- Review nightly inventory needs, guest feedback via SevenRooms, and prior service performance to inform operational adjustments.
The Pines Steakhouse - Lead Food Server
Yaamava Resort & Casino
Highland, CA
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Delivered exceptional fine dining service in a high-volume, Forbes standards-driven environment, ensuring a memorable guest experience from start to finish.
- Coordinated with hosts, bussers, and culinary team to ensure seamless communication and service flow during high-profile dinners.
- Mentored new servers through hands-on training, fostering consistent service quality across the team.
- Management recognized my leadership and entrusted me with acting supervisor responsibilities during management absences.
Skills
- Operations management
- Service management
- Customer service
- Staff mentoring
- Employee development
- Decision-making
- Relationship building
- Goal oriented
Certification
- WSET Level 1 Certification – Foundation in wine knowledge, service, and food pairing
- WSET Level 2 Certification – Advanced understanding of wine styles, tasting techniques, and global regions
- ServSafe Certification – Certified in food safety and sanitation practices
- Forbes Four-Star Rating – Key contributor in The Pines Steakhouse achieving this luxury service distinction
- AAA Four Diamond Rating – Played a major role in maintaining the high standards necessary for this prestigious award
Timeline
The Pines Steakhouse - Assistant Manager
Yaamava Resort & Casino
03.2025 - Current
The Pines Steakhouse - F&B Supervisor
Yaamava Resort & Casino
03.2021 - 03.2025
The Pines Steakhouse - Lead Food Server
Yaamava Resort & Casino
07.2018 - 06.2020