Jared Nelson
500 North Henry St., Williamsburg,VA
Summary
Adept at elevating dining experiences, I leveraged effective time management and upselling strategies at Blue Talon Bistro to significantly enhance customer satisfaction and sales. My leadership in training new staff and fostering guest relations showcases my commitment to excellence and teamwork. Skilled in POS system proficiency and critical thinking, I consistently exceed performance goals, contributing to a positive and efficient service environment.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Top Server/ Trainer
Blue Talon Bistro
08.2021 - 08.2024
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Addressed customer complaints or concerns professionally, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining positive relationships.
- Assisted in training new hires, providing guidance on restaurant standards and best practices.
- Handled cash transactions accurately, contributing to balanced daily financial reports.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Supported colleagues during peak hours, fostering a collaborative work environment that enhanced overall productivity levels.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to ensure timely delivery of orders, resulting in satisfied customers.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Demonstrated knowledge of wines and spirits; particularly when it came to pairing with the items on the menus.
Server
Carrabba's Italian Grille
10.2018 - 11.2019
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly attending to their needs and providing personalized service.
- Provided attentive service during high-volume periods without sacrificing attention to detail or guest rapport.
- Handled cash transactions accurately, contributing to balanced daily financial reports.
- Adapted to diverse customer needs, providing personalized service that increased guest satisfaction.
- Kept up with fast-paced environments, ensuring timely delivery of orders during peak hours.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
Server
Bonefish Grill
06.2017 - 09.2018
- Increased sales with upselling techniques and thorough knowledge of menu items, specials, and promotions.
- Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Consistently met or exceeded performance goals related to sales targets, customer satisfaction ratings, and order accuracy.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization in dining area, contributing to welcoming atmosphere.
- Built rapport with guests to enhance their dining experience and encourage return visits.
- Increased sales by suggesting additional items like desserts and drinks based on customers' orders.
- Maintained high standards of personal appearance and hygiene, reflecting positively on establishment.
- Adapted to diverse customer needs, providing personalized service that increased guest satisfaction.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
Tap-House Server
Berret’s Seafood Restaurant & Tap House Grill
03.2017 - 06.2017
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
- Maintained a clean and orderly dining area for an enjoyable guest experience.
- Provided attentive service during high-volume periods without sacrificing attention to detail or guest rapport.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
- Adhered to proper food handling procedures and safety guidelines for the well-being of guests and team members alike.
- Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations.
Bartender
Colonial Williamsburg Company
02.2016 - 03.2017
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Educated customers on drink options, making personalized recommendations based on preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation.
- Proactively addressed potential conflicts or disturbances among patrons, maintaining a safe atmosphere for all guests.
- Increased repeat customer numbers, creating welcoming atmosphere and remembering regulars' favorite drinks.
- Handled cash and card transactions accurately, reducing discrepancies and balancing till at end of each shift.
- Maintained extensive knowledge of cocktail recipes and preparation techniques, ensuring high-quality beverage menu.
- Adapted to fast-paced environment, effectively managing multiple drink orders simultaneously without compromising quality.
- Enhanced dining experience, suggesting food and drink pairings that complemented menu offerings.
- Managed inventory to prevent shortages, conducting weekly stock checks and placing timely orders.
- Boosted beverage sales, designing and promoting range of signature cocktails.
- Trained new staff on bar procedures, cocktail recipes, and customer service standards, ensuring consistent service quality.
- Regularly cleaned and sanitized bar area, beer lockers, refrigeration and storage areas.
- Verified drinking age requirements of customers by carefully reviewing photo identification.
- Maintained impeccably clean, attractive and well-stocked bar area.
- Kept bar stocked with liquors, juices and garnishes for drinks.
- Upheld strict regulations for safe alcohol service and food safety.
- Assisted with inventorying beverage stock and bar supplies.
- Used extensive knowledge of beer, wine and spirits to make informed recommendations to customers.
- Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines, and mixers.
- Prepared custom drink orders by accurately measuring and mixing house ingredients.
- Mixed unique and interesting cocktails for customers, including bar specials.
- Prepared garnishes by evenly slicing and pitting fruits.
- Helped management plan and serve bar menu exceeding customer expectations.
Education
Advanced -
Woodside High School
Newport News, VAHistory Education - American History
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VABachelor Of Music - Music Performance
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VASkills
- Effective Time Management
- Menu Memorization
- Safe Food Handling
- Order Accuracy
- Upselling strategies
- POS System proficiency
- Food presentation
- Server etiquette
- Tableside Service
- Bar terminology
- Wine service
- Food and beverage pairings
- Training expertise
- New employee mentoring
- Allergy awareness
- Food Quality Standards
- Guest Relations Management
- Item promotion
- Wine Pairings
- Service prioritization
- Daily specials memorization
- Relationship Building
- Attention to Detail
- Critical Thinking
- Leadership Development
- Clear Communication
- Documentation and Recordkeeping
- Public Speaking
- In-Depth Research
Certification
Virginia Food Handler Certification
Additional Information
I was an Eagle Scout that taught me a lot about leadership and adaptability.
Timeline
Top Server/ Trainer
Blue Talon Bistro
08.2021 - 08.2024
Server
Carrabba's Italian Grille
10.2018 - 11.2019
Server
Bonefish Grill
06.2017 - 09.2018
Tap-House Server
Berret’s Seafood Restaurant & Tap House Grill
03.2017 - 06.2017
Bartender
Colonial Williamsburg Company
02.2016 - 03.2017
Advanced -
Woodside High School
History Education - American History
Old Dominion University
Bachelor Of Music - Music Performance
Virginia Commonwealth University