ESSENCE LEWIS
Brighton,NY
Summary
Results-driven Hospitality and Events Executive with 10+ years of progressive leadership across senior living, corporate dining, and large-scale event operations. Expert in multi-department management, fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, and high-volume service environments. Proven ability to optimize labor and food costs, elevate guest experience, and lead cross-functional teams. Executive in search of a director-level role driving operational excellence, growth, and service innovation.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Director of Dining
St. John’s
Rochester, USA
01.2024 - Current
- Provide enterprise-level leadership for dining operations within a senior living community, overseeing daily service, special events, and catering programs
- Set strategic direction for menu planning, service models, and resident dining experience across multiple service levels
- Own budget management, labor forecasting, and food cost controls, ensuring fiscal accountability and efficiency
- Lead and develop interdisciplinary teams including culinary, service, and support staff
- Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards
- Partner with executive leadership, clinical teams, and stakeholders to align dining services with organizational goals
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance resident satisfaction, operational consistency, and service excellence
- Oversee vendor relationships, purchasing strategies, and contract negotiations
Director of Dining & Catering
Episcopal Church Home
Rochester, USA
12.2020 - 01.2024
- Provide executive leadership for all dining, catering, and event operations serving a large senior living community
- Own and manage annual operating budgets, labor forecasting, and food cost controls
- Drive cost efficiencies through vendor negotiations, inventory optimization, and purchasing strategies
- Lead recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance management for multidisciplinary teams
- Establish and enforce food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance standards
- Partner with executive leadership and stakeholders to align dining services with organizational goals
- Oversee planning and execution of large-scale internal and external events, ensuring quality, timeliness, and fiscal discipline
- Implement service improvements to enhance resident satisfaction and engagement
- Maintain operational readiness through audits, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives
General Manager
Texas de Brazil
Washington, USA
05.2017 - 12.2020
- Directed full-service operations for a high-volume, upscale restaurant with significant event revenue
- Held accountability for staffing models, labor optimization, guest experience, and revenue performance
- Led leadership teams through performance evaluations, coaching, and succession planning
- Executed and oversaw hundreds of private dining events and corporate functions, increasing repeat business
- Developed strong client partnerships and retention strategies
- Improved operational efficiency through process streamlining and performance monitoring
- Collaborated with corporate leadership on strategic initiatives and operational rollouts
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Miles College
01.2011
Bache Scholarship Program - Analytics Prelaw
University of Alabama
01.2011
Skills
- Budget Ownership & P&L Accountability
- Cost Reduction & Margin Improvement
- Vendor Strategy & Contract Negotiation
- Talent Acquisition & Leadership Development
- Regulatory and food safety compliance
- Multi-unit / multi-service oversight
- Culinary leadership/ Menu development
Certification
Servsafe
Timeline
Director of Dining
St. John’s
01.2024 - Current
Director of Dining & Catering
Episcopal Church Home
12.2020 - 01.2024
General Manager
Texas de Brazil
05.2017 - 12.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Miles College
Bache Scholarship Program - Analytics Prelaw
University of Alabama