Deidre Monique Benton

• Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
• Handled catering scheduling, ordered food and planned events.
• Coordinated with event planners for floor and table layouts, guest numbers and overall catering needs.
• Set and enforced performance and service standards to keep consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction.
• Maximized customer service by training staff, overseeing operations, and resolving issues.
• Guaranteed optimal beverage stock by assessing inventory and collaborating with owners for corrective action planning to limit expenses.
• Maintained high standards of customer service by staying up to date on bar and menu options and providing effective food recommendations for guests.
• Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
• Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
• Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.

• Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands
• Developed unique drink and cocktail offerings on monthly basis as part of seasonal offerings
• Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines and mixers
• Assisted servers with specialty drinks orders by preparing on-demand items without delay
• Collaborated with kitchen team to support order preparation, manage efficient deliveries and minimize customer service issues by verifying meals
• Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items for dissatisfied customers
• Prepared beverages and filled food orders for customers
• Arranged corporate and office conferences for company employees and guests

• Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
• Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
• Kept detailed inventories and notified management of ordering needs for liquor, beer, wine, and bar supplies.
• Maintained secure cash drawers, promptly resolving discrepancies in daily totals.
• Took customer orders and capitalized on opportunities to sell special beverage and food options.
• Kept alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands.
• Closed out cash register and prepared cashier report at close of business.
• Conducted regular inventory count to keep bar and drink supplies stocked, avoiding expensive rush orders.

POc knowledge

• Graciously greeting and guiding guests as the main contact through their experience
• Communicating with kitchen, managers, and sommeliers to ensure guest satisfaction
• Properly managing time and resources to balance the guest experience and the needs of the restaurant
• Accurately preparing checks and accepting payment
• Upholding service standards to ensure a memorable guest experience
• Maintaining and upholding company's vision and values
• Demonstrating a passion for details and a willingness to learn
• Taking part in pre-service duties and applicable closing duties
• Exhibiting a familiarity with daily menus (food, wine and cocktails)
• Participating in service/culinary education sessions
• Maintaining a safe, sanitary, and organized work environment

• Applied excellent organizational and multitasking abilities to handle simultaneous customer, team and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors
• Consulted with managers to organize special events and promotions such as trivia nights to bring in new customers
• Developed unique drink and cocktail offerings on monthly basis as part of seasonal offerings
• Took customer orders and capitalized on opportunities to sell special beverage and food options
• Maintained relationships with restaurant vendors to facilitate effective inventory management and implement cost controls
• Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines and mixers

• Poured and prepared mixed drinks for over 1000 customers daily and created new libations drawing in clientele
• Analyzed and solved multi-faceted problems that effected executive leaders and business initiatives
• Monitored guests for intoxication and immediately reported concerns to management
• Applied wine and spirit expertise toward recommending appropriate parings for chosen meals and personal tastes

• Monitored dining room and guest flow to maximize table usage and minimize wait times by 50%
• Assisted managers with quickly resolving service- and food-related issues
• Maintained highly loyal clientele by delivering unparalleled service at every stage of restaurant dining experience
• Watched dining area staff to evaluate server loads and calculate accurate wait times
• Took reservations by phone and walk-in, keeping scheduling demands and kitchen output in time to avoid overbooking
• Cultivated positive guest relations by managing information and orchestrating speedy seatings
• Assisted in preparing dining room for special upcoming functions, including decorating and generating and printing out special group menus
• Managed in-person and telephone guest inquiries, customer service requests and reservation bookings

• Minored in Math

ANSI Accredited

ServSafe Food Handler

British American Drama Academy-MidSummer in Oxford

Alcohol, safety, and knowledge certificate