Donovan Limon
Austin,TX
Summary
Experienced Director of Food and Beverage dedicated to delivering outstanding customer experiences to cultivate loyalty and increase repeat business. Proficient in resource management for efficient operations. Demonstrates effective sales leadership, sound judgment, and exceptional planning abilities. Skilled in interpersonal communication. Excels in high-pressure situations, consistently executing multiple projects with precision and adaptability. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with extensive managerial skills, providing a visionary approach and expertise in motivational coaching.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Food and Beverage
River Place Country Club
Austin, TX
08.2024 - Current
- Increased overall guest satisfaction by revamping menus and introducing innovative food and beverage offerings.
- Implemented sustainable practices in line with corporate social responsibility guidelines, reducing environmental impact while maintaining quality standards.
- Expanded catering services portfolio by identifying niche markets for growth opportunities within the local area.
- Streamlined operations for improved efficiency, implementing new inventory management systems and staff training programs.
- Delivered exceptional guest experiences through personalized service offerings tailored to individual preferences and dietary requirements.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term goals and strategic plans for the food and beverage department.
- Developed a strong team of food service professionals, selecting top talent through comprehensive recruitment initiatives.
- Maximized profitability with cost control measures, optimizing purchasing processes and reducing waste.
- Launched successful special events programming to drive additional revenue streams during off-peak times.
- Coordinated seamless event execution for both small-scale gatherings and large-scale banquets or conferences.
- Established accurate forecasting systems that enabled precise scheduling and inventory management, minimizing shortages and surplus.
- Enhanced revenue growth by developing strategic marketing campaigns targeting local and regional clientele.
- Spearheaded staff development initiatives including ongoing training programs focused on customer service excellence, upselling techniques, and product knowledge enhancement.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, conducting regular staff performance evaluations and providing targeted feedback.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures and scheduled cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
- Implemented effective inventory control systems to reduce food spoilage and waste.
- Maximized quality assurance by completing frequent line checks.
Assistant General Manager
Bobs Steak And Chop House Barton Creek Resort
Austin, United States
07.2022 - 08.2024
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules and contract negotiations.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures and technology systems.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Organized budgets, oversaw P&Ls and achieved margin targets consistently to stay on track with growth plans.
- Reduced costs, managed delivery schedules and performed risk analysis to improve overall profitability.
- Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain responsiveness to demands.
- Assessed reports to evaluate performance, develop targeted improvements and implement changes.
- Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
- Boosted productivity by consolidating material planning, data collecting, payroll and accounting programs into one main system.
- Utilized modern employee recognition program which boosted productivity and improved morale.
- Motivated, trained, and disciplined employees to maximize performance
General Manager
Andiamo Ristorante
Austin, TX
01.2021 - 07.2022
- Analyzed and generated end-of-shift and product inventory reports for performance and quality tracking purposes.
- Completed daily procedure checklist and communicated changes to servers and kitchen staff.
- Evaluated kitchen employee performance, initiated disciplinary actions and reassigned staff to meet changing customer volumes.
- Handled guest complaints in positively and offered appreciation tokens to build customer loyalty.
- Established team strengths and weaknesses and exploited opportunities to boost employee output and customer satisfaction.
- Led team of servers to consistently meet customer service and raise restaurant sales by 50%
- Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
Floor Manager
Fogo De Chao
02.2020 - 01.2021
- Assigned work tasks and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide prompt and successful service to patrons.
- Oversaw daily operations of service team, delegated tasks and trained new staff.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Increased sales by 15%
Waiter/Bartender
Cafe Blue
09.2018 - 02.2020
- Collaborated with kitchen team to support order preparation, manage efficient deliveries and minimize customer service issues by verifying meals.
- Kept updated knowledge of menu and promotions, recommending specific items according to preferences and food allergies.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Maintained table settings by removing courses, replacing utensils and refilling beverages promptly and courteously.
- Prepared beverages and filled food orders for customers.
- Trained incoming staff on restaurant's practices, culture and procedures to maximize job satisfaction and productivity.
Bartender
Krause's
05.2017 - 09.2018
- Upsold daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals.
- Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines and mixers.
- Maintained secure cash drawers, promptly resolving discrepancies for accuracy.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
Server/Bartender
Mamacitas Restaurant
02.2016 - 05.2017
- Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing and cash management practices.
- Collected credit card, cash and gift certificate payments from customers and made proper change for cash transactions.
- Trained incoming staff on restaurant's practices, culture and procedures to maximize job satisfaction and productivity.
- Managed food resources, memorized orders and wrote patron's food orders on slips in 250-seat restaurant.
Education
High School Diploma -
New Braunfels High School
New Braunfels, TX05.2015
No Degree - Pre Med
Austin Community College
Austin, TX05.2025
BBA - Hotel And Business Management
Texas State
San Marcos, TX06.2024
Skills
- Budget Controls
- Procedural Optimization
- Business Operations Knowledge
- Corrective Actions
- Strategic Planning Skill
- Team Leadership Expertise
- Financial Leadership Abilities
- Customer Relationship Management
- Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Profit and Loss Control
- Sales Forecasting
- Inventory Control
Accomplishments
- Was awareded the "Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa Manager Of The 1st Quarter 2023".
- Successfully completed a series of Forbes Hospitality Training.
- Part of an award winning Resort that received the following...
- Travel + Leisure’s 2022 World’s Best Awards #3 in favorite resorts in Texas.
- Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards #4 in favorite resorts in Texas.
- #1 Overall Resort and Spa within the Omni Hotels and Resorts company for 2022/2023.
- Readers Choice Awards 2022 #3 best Resort within the South West. With a score of 96.03.
Timeline
Director of Food and Beverage
River Place Country Club
08.2024 - Current
Assistant General Manager
Bobs Steak And Chop House Barton Creek Resort
07.2022 - 08.2024
General Manager
Andiamo Ristorante
01.2021 - 07.2022
Floor Manager
Fogo De Chao
02.2020 - 01.2021
Waiter/Bartender
Cafe Blue
09.2018 - 02.2020
Bartender
Krause's
05.2017 - 09.2018
Server/Bartender
Mamacitas Restaurant
02.2016 - 05.2017
High School Diploma -
New Braunfels High School
No Degree - Pre Med
Austin Community College
BBA - Hotel And Business Management
Texas State