VANESSA KRAFFT
Hospitality Professional
Menomonee Falls,WI
Summary
Seasoned Hospitality Professional with passion for quality customer care. Previously managed more than 40 employees and organized large-scale events, including weddings and banquets. Well-known for delivering excellent customer service and staff leadership, resulting in business growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
1
1
Language
Work History
Director of Catering
Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Madison, WI
04.2016 - 11.2021
- Interviewed, hired, and supervised back and front of house staff
- Established and enforced standards of personnel performance and service to provide customers with consistent and positive experiences
- Supervised catering staff to reinforce adherence to organizational policies and safety regulations.
- Conducted staff performance reviews
- Linen ordering through outside vendor
- Coordinated events ranging from 5-350 guests
- Detailing and oversight of corporate and social events
- Discussed client's event needs to develop recommendations for room options and possible menus
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs
- Responded to initial inquiries, coordinating facility tours and food sampling, drafting of agreements, taking deposits and payments
- Set schedules for 40+ staff by planning and designating shifts and hours
- Worked with chefs to plan menus according to client needs and budgets
- Protected business, team members and customers by monitoring alcohol consumption and keeping operation in line with legal service requirements
Wedding Coordinator
University Of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison, WI
06.2013 - 04.2016
- Corporate and Social Event coordination
- Met with wedding couples to offer assistance with selecting food, linen colors etc
- Mentored new employees on customer service, money handling and organizing strategies to maximize performance, productivity and team success
- Student staff hiring
- Student staff scheduling
- Linen ordering through outside vendor
- On-site and off-site catering event coordination and deliveries
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking and event promotions
Catering Coordinator
Panera Bread
Madison, WI
01.2012 - 11.2012
- Increased clientele by networking with local businesses and venues
- Answered phones politely and promptly, accurately recording and confirming catering orders
- Supervised 5 employees per shift
- Cleaned, sanitized and organized food speed racks, bins and dry storage racks to keep food storage areas neat and prevent food-borne illness
- Offered product samples, answered questions and suggested products
- Improved catering sales by building trust to clients and revised daily catering operations 4-wall marketing
- Communicated with customers to review catering goals and budget, deliver quotes and proposals, schedule event and carry out catering needs as contracted.
- Analyzed catering orders and liaised with staff to set up equipment, supplies and menus to meet client expectations.
Front Desk Supervisor
La Jolla Cove Suites
La Jolla, CA
03.2011 - 09.2011
- Answered multi-line phone system to respond to inquiries and transfer calls to correct departments and personnel
- Greeted visitors and customers upon arrival, offered assistance and answered questions to build rapport and retention
- Provided concierge services for guests as needed
- Corrected guest issues in a timely and professional manner with knowledgeable and friendly service
- Worked with room service, housekeeping, maintenance and security to meet all guest needs
- Directed all front desk operations with focus on hotel reputation, staff productivity and operational efficiency
- Managed guest check-in and check-out procedures, reservations and payments
- Managed front desk team of 5-10
Flight Attendant
Germanwings GmbH
Stuttgart
08.2009 - 07.2010
- Served beverages and food items and provided key information about offerings to passengers during flights
- Ensured controlled flight environment by responding to disruptive passengers per federal guidelines
- Comforted and provided reassurance to passengers during unforeseen or stressful events, such as flight turbulence and flight delays
- Politely greeted incoming passengers and provided direction to seat locations to facilitate boarding process
- Ensured that prompt communications were distributed between the flight deck and the cabin crew
- Inspected interior of aircraft prior to, during, and after flights to ensure proper stowing of emergency equipment
- Demonstrated and clearly explained safety processes and emergency procedures to passengers before takeoff
- Helped guests locate seats and stow luggage in the appropriate locations
- Served as crew member on 4 overseas flights per day.
- Answered passengers' questions and provided solutions to issues arising during flights
- Ensured aircraft and passenger compliance with policies, procedures, regulations and safety guidance
F&B Management Trainee
Aspen Meadows Resort
Aspen, CO
07.2008 - 02.2009
- Assisted F&B Director with various tasks, including inventory and preparation for special projects
- Worked and trained in all food & beverage related positions within the resort
- Supervising service for banquets and conferences, bar tending, room service
- Employee training and evaluation
- Supervised team of up to 20 employees in the preparation, service and breakdown of high profile events catering to politicians and celebrities.
Catering Waitstaff
GVO Personal GmbH
Stuttgart
04.2009 - 07.2010
- Applied safe food handling and optimal cleaning strategies to protect customers and maintain proper sanitation
- Recommended daily specials, wine selections and desserts to guide patrons toward more profitable items
- Stocked server areas with supplies before, during and after shifts to boost performance of serving staff
- Transported all dirty glassware and utensils from dining room to dish washing area for proper cleaning
- Recorded orders and partnered with team members to efficiently serve food and beverages.
Hospitality Apprentice
Maritim Hotel Stuttgart
Stuttgart
09.2005 - 07.2008
- As a hospitality apprentice I got trained and worked in every department of Maritim Hotel Stuttgart, part of the largest hotel chain in Germany
- Maritim Stuttgart is a 5 star hotel with 555 rooms and is attached to "Liederhalle", a famous concert and conference Hall in Stuttgart Germany
- Departments I trained and worked in included:
- Sales, Front Desk, Bar, Housekeeping, Room Service, Hotel Restaurants, Banquet Service
- During my time at the Maritim Hotel I worked events ranging from 5-2000 guests.
Education
International Event And Wedding Planner - Event And Weddings
QC Event School
Online 11.2013 - 02.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality
Paul Kerschensteiner Schule/Maritim Hotel
Bad Ueberkingen/Stuttgart 08.2005 - 07.2008
Skills
Menu development
Catering Events specialist
Caterease proficiency
Scheduling
Food plating and presentation
Workflow planning
Safe food handling
Staff Management
Coaching and mentoring
Additional Information
Teacher's Assistant, Crowne Point Elementary School
San Diego, CA
2011
- Assisted 2nd grade teacher with different tasks
- Oversaw groups of students at school and off-site locations, maintaining optimal safety and security
- Implemented practice exercises and used repetition, enabling students to grasp new concepts quickly
- Collated classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities
- Handed out classroom materials, like pencils, paper and crayons
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support lead teacher
Certification
ServSafe Manager
Timeline
Director of Catering
Best Western Premier Park Hotel
04.2016 - 11.2021
International Event And Wedding Planner - Event And Weddings
QC Event School
11.2013 - 02.2014
Wedding Coordinator
University Of Wisconsin, Madison
06.2013 - 04.2016
Catering Coordinator
Panera Bread
01.2012 - 11.2012
Front Desk Supervisor
La Jolla Cove Suites
03.2011 - 09.2011
Flight Attendant
Germanwings GmbH
08.2009 - 07.2010
Catering Waitstaff
GVO Personal GmbH
04.2009 - 07.2010
F&B Management Trainee
Aspen Meadows Resort
07.2008 - 02.2009
Hospitality Apprentice
Maritim Hotel Stuttgart
09.2005 - 07.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality
Paul Kerschensteiner Schule/Maritim Hotel
08.2005 - 07.2008