Janelle Williams
Chicago,IL
Summary
Ambitious Catering Manager 8 years of Hospitality experience leading efficient and profitable service teams. Successful at meeting client needs while increasing revenue by driving sales. Committed to top-tier customer service and upholding professional, approachable attitude.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Catering Sales Manager
The Thompson Hotel
10.2022 - Current
- Generates revenue for hotel by selling event spaces and room blocks
- Creates contracts and BEO’s for events
- Creates event floor plans
- Attends weekly BEO meetings
- Maintains strong client relationships throughout the planning process
- Ensures all logistics is correctly executed by staff
- Works with Executive Chef on continued menu development and custom menus
- Evaluated competitor strategies to identify opportunities for growth and differentiation within the market.
- Developed strong partnerships with local event venues, resulting in mutually beneficial referral agreements for increased business opportunities.
- Developed detailed proposals for prospective clients, showcasing a thorough understanding of their needs and expectations.
- Mentored junior sales team members, sharing best practices and cultivating a supportive work environment.
Catering & Events Coordinator
The Palmer House Hilton
06.2021 - 10.2022
- Creates contracts and BEO’s
- Process deposits and invoices
- Assists with all event prep
- Creates event diagrams and layouts
- Attends weekly BEO meetings
- Conduct site visits
- Maintain all catering/event BEO’s
Customer Experience Associate
Comcast
02.2019 - 06.2021
- Provides friendly customer service to customers
- Problem solves all customer related issues
- Assists with all customer needs
- Provides product information & brand awareness to customers
Assistant Catering Director
Quest Food Management
01.2018 - 02.2019
- Managed catering team to ensure quality of food presentation
- Handed all catering orders, events and BEO’s
- Trained and managed employees to ensure knowledge of food menus
- Delivered consistent quality in planning and execution of events
- Ensured the practice of all food safety guidelines
Assistant Pastry Chef/Sous Chef
Blue Plate Catering
05.2017 - 11.2018
- Managed Pasty team (20 Pastry Cooks) and Cake Decorators
- Assisted with hiring new team members and training
- Responsible for daily production and outage orders
- Assisted with menus, deliveries, inventory, client tastings and administrative tasks
- Attended weekly Catering and Sales/BEO meetings with Executive Staff
- Maintained all catering BEO’s
Lead Pastry Cook
The Gray Kimpton Hotel
08.2016 - 11.2017
- Production of breakfast pastries, cookies, ice creams, tarts, candies, cupcakes, bars
- Plated desserts for Vol 39 and Boleo
- Assisted with menu selections, deliveries and inventory
- Maintained catering BEO’s
Pastry Prep Cook
Jewell Events & Catering
04.2016 - 08.2016
- Production of specialty desserts and pastries
- Assisted with plated desserts and dessert prep
- Production of desserts for lunches, weddings and corporation events
- Ran action stations at events
Production/Programming Assistant
iHeart Media
06.2014 - 04.2016
- Made broadcast ready commercials and other station elements
- Served as liaison between Production and Continuity Department
- Produced Personalities’ Commercials/Promos
- Assisted Production Director with all production needs
- Filled in for Production Director
- Recapped live events for on-air activity
- Assisted Music Director with Urban AC music log/clock
- Conducted Music research
- Contest administration
Brand Ambassador
Brand You, INC (Passion XO Liquor)
09.2012 - 08.2014
- Distributed product samples and promotional items
- Engaged with customers to increase brand awareness
- Assisted with events and scheduling
- Responsible for setup and break down of event
- Secured product sales
- Assisted with recruitment and training of new hires
Program Director/On-Air
Internet Streaming Corp
01.2010 - 09.2012
- Managed Programming and Production staff
- Maintained music log and reviewed music submission
- Co-hosted “Fridays Nights Lights” on Fridays 9pm-12am
- Scheduled music/interviews/programming
- Created and oversaw station imaging
- Managed Social Media outlets
- Worked with IPD regarding website edits
- Assisted with generating station revenue
- Oversaw all on-line content
Music Director Assistant/Programming Intern
iHeart Media
04.2007 - 09.2009
- Conducted weekly music meetings, served as liaison with all Record Label Reps
- Managed Selector, conducted music research and monitor record spins
- Oversaw production library
- Input commercial orders and assisted with station production
- Assisted with customer needs, greet visitors/artists and trained programming interns
- Created contests concepts & maintained prizes for promotional events
- Responsible for blogs and social media content
- Performed all administrative duties
Chicago F.A.R.M Rep
Cornerstone Promotions/Fader Magazine
01.2008 - 02.2009
- Provide support & awareness for major brands and artist
- Managed Street promotions through the Chicagoland area
- Created weekly promotion reports
- Attended weekly promotional meetings
Teachers’ Assistant - Advance Production
Columbia College Chicago
06.2007 - 08.2007
- Taught Production techniques to students
- Critiques assignments
- Tutored students with production skills
- Managed Radio practice studios, classrooms, and database
- Assisted students with Radio equipment and Protools
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Baking and Patisserie Arts
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
01.2016
Bachelor of Arts -
Columbia College Chicago
01.2008
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Delphi
- Opera
- Envision
- Reserve
- Selector
- NexGen
- All Social Media Platforms
- Extremely Detail-Oriented
- Event Management
- Excellent Communications & Interpersonal Skills
- Menu Development
- Event Planning Proficiency
- Sales Strategy
- Client Acquisition
Certification
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
Chicago Department of Public Health - Certified Food Service Manager
Timeline
Senior Catering Sales Manager
The Thompson Hotel
10.2022 - Current
Catering & Events Coordinator
The Palmer House Hilton
06.2021 - 10.2022
Customer Experience Associate
Comcast
02.2019 - 06.2021
Assistant Catering Director
Quest Food Management
01.2018 - 02.2019
Assistant Pastry Chef/Sous Chef
Blue Plate Catering
05.2017 - 11.2018
Lead Pastry Cook
The Gray Kimpton Hotel
08.2016 - 11.2017
Pastry Prep Cook
Jewell Events & Catering
04.2016 - 08.2016
Production/Programming Assistant
iHeart Media
06.2014 - 04.2016
Brand Ambassador
Brand You, INC (Passion XO Liquor)
09.2012 - 08.2014
Program Director/On-Air
Internet Streaming Corp
01.2010 - 09.2012
Chicago F.A.R.M Rep
Cornerstone Promotions/Fader Magazine
01.2008 - 02.2009
Teachers’ Assistant - Advance Production
Columbia College Chicago
06.2007 - 08.2007
Music Director Assistant/Programming Intern
iHeart Media
04.2007 - 09.2009
Bachelor of Arts -
Columbia College Chicago
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
Chicago Department of Public Health - Certified Food Service Manager
Associate of Applied Science - Baking and Patisserie Arts
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
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