Bachelors - Matric
Pretoria Secondary School
South Africa 2017
Praise Ruvimbo Zisengwe
Pretoria ,South Africa
Summary
Ambitious Head Waitress with 5 years of experience serving in five star establishments. Proven history of inspiring positivity and productivity in employees. Dedicated to dynamic leadership and top-of-the-line customer service.
Education
Work History
Head Waitress
Palazzo Montecasino Hotel
, South Africa
4 2022 - Current
- Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues through diplomatic acknowledgment and commitment to service.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with timely table check-ins to assess food and beverage needs.
- Managed food resources, memorized orders, and coordinated customer service.
- Trained staff members on use of POS system.
- Assigned work tasks and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide prompt and successful service to patrons.
- Upheld high standards of professionalism when dealing with customer issues, supporting serving staff, and waiting on tables.
- Monitored dining rooms for seating availability as well as service, safety, and well-being of guests.
- Used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve customer complaints and promote long-term loyalty.
- Supervised server staff and simultaneously served personal section of tables.
- Supervised restocking of salad bar and buffet for lunch and dinner service.
- Greeted new customers, discussed specials, and took drink orders.
- Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
- Stored food in designated containers and storage areas to increase shelf life, improve kitchen organization, and provide easy access during busy peak service times.
- Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
Waitress
Cascade Hotel
, South Africa
1 2020 - 3 2022
- Kept server areas clean and stocked to increase efficiency while working tables.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with timely table check-ins to assess food and beverage needs.
- Greeted new customers, discussed specials, and took drink orders.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Remained calm and poised when dealing with difficult customers or during busy shifts.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to correctly update customers on unavailable dishes and wait times.
- Folded napkins and prepared silverware sets to provide adequate supply for host station.
- Used cash registers and credit card machines to cash out customers.
- Bussed tables during busy periods to assist staff and quickly turn over tables.
- Followed health and safety regulations relevant to hospitality industry to minimize accidents, incidents and liability to restaurant.
- Provided recommendations on menu items and upsold food and drinks to increase sales.
- Trained new waitstaff on proper food handling, customer service and safety procedures.
- Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
- Monitored patrons for alcohol intake to appropriate levels and took measures to curtail inappropriate behavior.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
- Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
Waitress Trainee
Die Boom Restaurant
, South Africa
2 2018 - 11 2019
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations while serving spirits.
- Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Seated customers in timely manner by managing reservations and waitlists skillfully.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
Skills
- Food and beverage pairings
- High-volume dining
- Upselling techniques
- Guest relations management
- Food spoilage prevention
- Cash handling
- Tableside Service
- Menu presentation
- To-go order preparation
- Bill computation
- Bar terminology
- Wine knowledge
- Front-of-house display creation
- Food station setup
- Order accuracy
Personal Information
Name & contact
Timeline
Head Waitress
Palazzo Montecasino Hotel
4 2022 - Current
Waitress
Cascade Hotel
1 2020 - 3 2022
Waitress Trainee
Die Boom Restaurant
2 2018 - 11 2019
Bachelors - Matric
Pretoria Secondary School