CRISTINA ABLAZA

Leading an energetic, high-volume, multi-level AsianAmerican dining experience with an acclaimed late night cocktail lounge. Supervising Service Managers and large multi-lingual staff with floor operations & maintaining service standards, with an eye for company culture. Focused on FOH Team’s food & cocktail education; Overseeing the Front Door Team/ Reservations. Progressive discipline, Staff reviews. High guest engagement and relationship building, and Guest satisfaction outreach. Requisitions: Uniforms, Office Supplies, DryGoods, Serviceware, Smallwares. Providing nightly payroll information to Finance, Sales/ Finance reports to Ownership. SEVENROOMS, Resy, 7Shifts, Toast.

Opened/maintained fine dining room with a strong focus on Service Direction: team management (hiring, training, scheduling, progressive discipline), supervising nightly service to a high standard, creating memorable experiences for guests. Specifically supervised Host Team & nightly reservations. Trained team on menu (Spanish/Japanese cuisine) & extensive cocktail program. Weekly Payroll Processing, P&L. Handled orders for service supplies with an eye on budget. Ran & organized uniform program for 40+ team members. OpenTable, SEVENROOMS, MICROS.

Oversaw nightly floor operations of MOLounge, providing the floor team with the tools & knowledge to offer service worthy of a 5-star hotel. Hired & trained the Host team; managed reservations. Provided nightly service reports, requisitioned wine & liquor. SEVENROOMS, MICROS.

Working in a high-pressure arena with Michelin starred Chef & his team to provide a theatrical, unique cocktail/dining experience. Preparing reservations, arranging seating; running a busy door; assisting floor manager with operations; training coordinators; providing service & financial reports to home office in Chicago. TOCK, MICROS.

Running the door/seating at a high-volume cocktail bar while assisting manager with service. Engaging with guests; providing communication between servers, kitchen & guests. OpenTable.

Running the door/seating at a high-volume upscale restaurant while assisting manager with service. Engaging with guests; coat check. OpenTable.