Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Activities
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Donna Cook

Truckee,CA

Summary

Experienced with managing high-volume dining environments while ensuring quality service. Utilizes effective communication and leadership to foster cohesive team atmosphere. Track record of enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency through strategic planning and hands-on management.

Professional hospitality leader with substantial experience in high-volume dining establishments. Skilled in delivering exceptional customer service, managing team collaboration, and ensuring seamless operations. Strong emphasis on adaptability and reliability, consistently aligning with organizational goals and enhancing guest satisfaction. Proven ability to train and lead staff while maintaining high standards in fast-paced environments.

Dedicated food service professional well-versed in food and beverage operations and guest services. Experienced in managing large-scale events or intimate gourmet dining and afternoon tea services. Successful at building relationships with customers to increase loyalty and repeat business.

Customer-oriented Wait Staff Member with experience in service industry. Excellent interpersonal communication skills with focus on guest satisfaction when interacting with patrons. Licensed for preparation and sale of alcoholic beverages, bar procedures and liquor laws.

Cheerful Server offering experience in fast-paced diner and short-order restaurant settings. Promotes customer comfort and enhanced experiences by answering questions and responding to concerns. Maintains service standards and follows safe service regulations. Always ready to help team members by taking on additional tasks.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Lead Server/Supervisor

Smokey’s Kitchen
07.2016 - 11.2024
  • Operate cash drawer and register
  • Maintain positive attitude to inspire employees and guest
  • Ensure guest have an excellent experience
  • Owner: Michael Lathbury, 530-448-1413
  • Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
  • Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure accurate and timely delivery of meals, resulting in higher customer satisfaction rates.
  • Maintained clean and organized dining areas, ensuring a pleasant atmosphere for guests at all times.
  • Developed strong rapport with regular customers, encouraging repeat business through genuine connection-building efforts.
  • Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
  • Enhanced customer experience by providing attentive and personalized service during their dining visit.
  • Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing, and cash management practices.
  • Developed strong relationships with guests, fostering loyalty and repeat business.
  • Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
  • Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
  • Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
  • Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
  • Checked guests' identification before serving alcoholic beverages.
  • Managed high volume dining periods with effective time management and strong multitasking abilities.

Bartender/Food Server/Assistant Manager

Grand Sierra Resort
10.2011 - 07.2016
  • I held various positions during my employment at GSR
  • I began as a food server with duties that included providing a positive experience for the guest
  • My next position was the assistant restaurant manager
  • My duties included monitoring employees, their section, their performance, and side work
  • It also included some scheduling of employees
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing efficient and friendly food service.
  • Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
  • Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing several tables at once while maintaining high standards of service quality.
  • Pitched in with cleaning and closing tasks to keep restaurants running smoothly.
  • Communicated with kitchen staff clearly and accurately to deliver meals within desired time frames.
  • Handled difficult customer situations professionally, resolving issues promptly and ensuring repeat business.
  • Increased sales by upselling appetizers, desserts, and specialty beverages.
  • Conducted regular checks on table cleanliness and utensil supply, maintaining high standards of hygiene.
  • Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
  • Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
  • Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
  • Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
  • Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
  • Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
  • Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
  • Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails.
  • Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
  • Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation.
  • Maintained extensive knowledge of cocktail recipes and preparation techniques, ensuring high-quality beverage menu.
  • Increased repeat customer numbers, creating welcoming atmosphere and remembering regulars' favorite drinks.
  • Developed loyal clientele by engaging in friendly conversations and providing exceptional service.
  • Handled cash and card transactions accurately, reducing discrepancies and balancing till at end of each shift.
  • Verified drinking age requirements of customers by carefully reviewing photo identification.
  • Kept bar stocked with liquors, juices and garnishes for drinks.
  • Upheld strict regulations for safe alcohol service and food safety.
  • Prepared custom drink orders by accurately measuring and mixing house ingredients.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - English, Photography

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Boone, NC
05.2002

Skills

  • Multitasking skills
  • Effort
  • Completion
  • Attention to detail
  • Positive and friendly attitude
  • POS system operations
  • Exceptional communication
  • Responsible and trustworthy
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Critical thinking
  • Accurate money handling
  • High volume dining

Activities

  • Passion for photography.
  • Desire to provide aesthetic pleasure to lovers of photography.
  • Enjoys traveling to National Parks and appreciating the beauty of nature.
  • Believes in learning new things for growth.
  • Uses kindness to give others a positive experience in life.

Interests

  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Playing Sports
  • Road Trips
  • Exploring famous landmarks, historical sites, and cultural attractions in a new destination
  • Adventure Traveler
  • Avid Reader
  • Photographer

Timeline

Lead Server/Supervisor

Smokey’s Kitchen
07.2016 - 11.2024

Bartender/Food Server/Assistant Manager

Grand Sierra Resort
10.2011 - 07.2016

Bachelor of Arts - English, Photography

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

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Donna Cook