Garvis Zabala
New York,NY
Summary
Dedicated hospitality professional with exceptional problem-solving abilities, a decisive nature and a good understanding of the market. Offering over 9 years of experience in the industry devoted to balancing customer and company needs to drive profits and build brand loyalty. Ready to offer exceptional leadership and planning.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager
David Burke Hospitality Management
12.2022 - Current
- Opened 2 DBHM locations Red Horse and Park Ave Kitchen by DB.
- Set up Toast POS and online ordering partners intergrations
- Created digital menu boards/visual advertisements.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
Server
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Harlem
03.2022 - 10.2023
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Bussed/reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Garnished dishes and drinks before being delivered customers, minimizing wait times.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly attending to their needs and providing personalized service.
Head Server
Bison & Bourbon
03.2021 - 01.2022
- Trained new staff on restaurant operations and policies to strengthen performance.
- Upsold high-profit items such as whole spirit bottles,large size format drinks and $350 meat platter to enhance sales numbers.
- Scheduled over 100 reservations and managed seating arrangements simultaneously in high-traffic steak restaurant while maintaining calm, professional demeanor.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions and informed of accurate wait times.
- Assigned patrons to tables suitable for needs and restaurant section rotation.
- Performed event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
Executive Chef
Green Hill Kitchen LLC
06.2018 - 01.2020
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action and performance reviews to improve productivity and optimize
kitchen workflow - Developed menus, controlled food costs and oversaw quality, sanitation and safety processes.
- Estimated food consumption and requisitioned food, selected and developed recipes, standardized production recipes for consistent quality and established presentation technique.
- Generated employee schedules, work assignments and determined appropriate compensation.
- Established and updated staff schedules and assignments to optimize coverage of peak times
- Collaborated with vendors to source desired recipe ingredients while maintaining tight cost
controls - Prepared identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail and
quality - Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment
- Collaborated with other executive chef and pastry chef to create delicious meals for large
banquets, including weddings, farmers markets events, and private dinners for up to 400
people
Assistant Store Manager
Zales The Diamond Store
03.2017 - 07.2018
- Met or surpassed business targets on regular basis through strategic employee engagement and forward-thinking planning
- Assisted team members with delivering friendly, knowledgeable
service to every customer by applying proactive monitoring and corrective action strategies - Assessed job applications and made hiring recommendations to bring
in top candidates for key vacancies - Helped with planning schedules and delegating assignments to meet coverage and service demands
- Supervised associates by providing direction and instruction for
stocking shelves, rotating stock and receiving deliveries - Processed payments for credit and debit cards and returned proper
change for cash transactions - Trained and managed associates in customer service and sales techniques
- Coached team on effective upselling and cross-selling methods
- Conducted store inventories daily
- Monitored security and handled incidents calmly
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions
- Trained over 15 employees in inventory practices, POS systems and product knowledge, contributing to 30% increase in customer satisfaction ratings
- Managed approximately 100 incoming calls, emails and faxes per dayfrom customers
- Personal sales of Over 750k in less than 1 fiscal year
Bartender
BREAD The Nolita Hotel
02.2016 - 02.2017
- Greeted guests in a timely and professional manner
- Received beverage orders from wait staff and delivered beverages to guests
- Maintained full knowledge of beverage lists and promotions
- Enthusiastically and appealingly described food and drink specials to guests
- Carefully followed safety and sanitation policies handling food and beverages
- Poured drinks using standard pour according to specifications. Managed strict beverage control to minimize waste
- Verified that guests at the bar were of legal age
- Upheld strict cash handling procedures
Head Server
Big Daddy's Burger Bar
08.2015 - 03.2017
- Coached and mentor staff to ensure smooth adoption of new programs
- Monitored employee performance and developed improvement plans
- Resolved challenging customer complaints to full satisfaction, promoting brand loyalty and maximizing repeat business
- Monitored staff performance, enforcing adherence to policies, procedures, regulations, health codes, license requirements, and top service standards
- Held daily meetings with servers on each shift to discuss specials and driving sales of key items.
- Modeled strategies to wait staff for delivering exceptional and friendly service to every guest, every time.
Expeditor/Head Food Runner
KTCHN Restaurant/The OUT Hotel
03.2015 - 08.2015
- Delivered correct food items to tables according to order documentation.
- Maintained speed of service for food orders while minimizing errors and complaints.
- Last person to inspect the dish before it is presented to a guest
- Prepare a station with fresh garnishes
- Restock and organize plates in different kitchen stations
- Maintain disposable goods stocked
- Assist kitchen staff maintaining work areas
- Liaison with waits staff and guest
- On call Busser/Waiter
Shift Supervisor
BRGR
05.2013 - 03.2015
- Completed store opening and closing procedures.
- Responded to and resolved customer questions and concerns.
- Assisted management meet standards of service and quality in daily operations.
- Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
- Evaluated employee skills and knowledge regularly, training and mentoring individuals with lagging skills.
- Worked in different franchise locations when needed
- Take customers order using POS system
- Receive online/phone orders
- Handled beverage/Grill/Assembly/ Fry Station to cover breaks.
Education
Associate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Bronx Community College Of The City University Of New York
The Bronx, NY12.2020
Skills
- Food preparation and safety
- Recipes and menu planning
- Performance improvement
- Sales planning
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Sales expertise
- New hire on-boarding
- Fluently write and speak Spanish
- Vendor management
- Merchandising expertise
- To-go order preparation
- Cash handling
Certification
NYC DOHMH Food Protection Certificate issued 03/2014
Timeline
Manager
David Burke Hospitality Management
12.2022 - Current
Server
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Harlem
03.2022 - 10.2023
Head Server
Bison & Bourbon
03.2021 - 01.2022
Executive Chef
Green Hill Kitchen LLC
06.2018 - 01.2020
Assistant Store Manager
Zales The Diamond Store
03.2017 - 07.2018
Bartender
BREAD The Nolita Hotel
02.2016 - 02.2017
Head Server
Big Daddy's Burger Bar
08.2015 - 03.2017
Expeditor/Head Food Runner
KTCHN Restaurant/The OUT Hotel
03.2015 - 08.2015
Shift Supervisor
BRGR
05.2013 - 03.2015
Associate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Bronx Community College Of The City University Of New York
NYC DOHMH Food Protection Certificate issued 03/2014
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