Jess Marallo
North Liberty,IA
Summary
Experienced professional in the food and beverage industry with a passion for showcasing delectable food pairings. Skilled in menu creation and training individuals in bartending techniques. Excels in creating memorable dining experiences through expert knowledge and attention to detail.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Restaurant and Outlet manager
Hyatt Regency Coralville and Conference Center
Coralville, IA
03.2024 - 05.2025
- Restaurant & Guest Services Management
- Spearheaded Watermill Kitchen + Bar becoming the 2nd restaurant in Iowa to become a "Dementia friendly" certified restaurant.
- Consistently exceeded guest expectations by maintaining high standards across restaurant, Starbucks, In-Room Dining, and Regency Club, including cleanliness, food and beverage quality, and service by creating customized SOP's for the company.
- Cultivated a reputation for prestigious service, leading to high guest satisfaction and increased new and returning clientele.
- Interacted positively with customers, promoted hotel facilities, and resolved issues to the satisfaction of all parties.
- Organized special events and receptions within the restaurant.
- Monitored food quality and service standards throughout the facility and kitchen areas, making necessary adjustments for consistency.
- Implemented and directed monthly training to enhance staff.
- Leadership & Operations
- Provided professional leadership and administration, fostering teamwork, and improving morale.
- Interviewed, selected, trained, supervised, counseled, and disciplined restaurant staff for efficient operation.
- Organized and conducted pre-shift meetings to communicate pertinent information and directed staff work assignments with ongoing training.
- Directed and coordinated all assigned personnel and departmental responsibilities in the outlets.
- Implemented and supported hotel policies and procedures, including housekeeping, sanitation, and cleanliness standards.
- Maintained a high level of professional appearance, demeanor, ethics, and self-image.
- Financial & Inventory Management
- Maintained budgetary guidelines by improving sales through service, up-selling, and increasing return guests.
- Managed accurate records and inventories.
- Controlled payroll to maintain outlet profitability.
- Ensured par stock levels were maintained by calculating inventory.
- Communication & Relationships
- Maintained strong relationships with other hotel departments and vendors.
- Tracked and updated all menu abstracts for all outlets.
- Maintained an appropriate level of community public affairs involvement.
- Effectively dealt with internal and external customers, including those requiring high levels of patience, tact, and diplomacy to resolve issues.
- Analytical & Administrative
- Tracked daily emails, post-shift reports, scheduling, and administrative duties.
- Implemented and maintained monthly par sheets for all outlets.
- Demonstrated strong knowledge of food & beverage operations, preparation techniques, and beverage/ wine knowledge.
- Kept current with industry trends and competitor activities.
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager/ Bar manager
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Cedar Rapids, IA
01.2023 - 03.2024
- This position serves as a Trainer. The Trainer is responsible for supervising the learning experiences of students in all areas of the Hotel at Kirkwood Center, the Kirkwood Center for Hospitality Arts and the Kirkwood Center for Continuing Education.
- Develop, implement and maintain the quality standards for Maikka Lobby Bar
- Take food/beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons, ensuring excellent customer service
- Maintain organization and cleanliness of bar, lounge and patio areas
- Proficient on POS terminal and cash handling-ensure change inventory is maintained
- Attend service and food trainings.
- Understand and practice “Serving Alcohol with Care” principles.
- Regular and consistent attendance at work.
- Maintain TIPS certification
- Track TiPs certification for all Food & Beverage staff
- Maintain Maikka Lobby Bar program including specials and promotions
- Work with Restaurant and Beverage Manager to maintain proper beverage costs, labor costs and food costs for Maikka Lobby Bar
- Order all liquor, wine, beer, and misc. products for Maikka Lobby Bar
- Check in all orders and manage inventory
- Maintain proper FIFO rotation of all products for Maikka Lobby Bar
- Assist in hiring and responsible for all training Maikka Lobby Bar staff
- Train and complete training check lists to be placed in employee file
- Communicate with Restaurant and Beverage manager on employee performance and/or areas of opportunity
- Responsible for handling change inventory and cash drawer balances
- Develop, train, prep for all drink menus and recipe guides
- Create and evolve training check lists as needed
- Support the Banquet BAR and Server Staff by providing training and guidance to banquet staff
- Responsible for overall shift management and point person for team in absence of the Restaurant and Beverage Manager
- Perform other related work duties as assigned
- Cocktail demonstrations for business groups
Bartender/ Server
Copper Boar
North Liberty, IA
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Bar open duties; cutting fruit, filling sinks, stocking and making syrups, ect
- Help with creation of drink specials
- Bar close duties; put fruit away, stock beer, plug draft beers, sweep and mop.
Bartender/ Suite server
Aramark/ Xtreme Arena
Coralville, IA
09.2020 - 01.2023
- Event/ gig based work
- Worked as a bartender at the August 2021 Field of Dreams Game
- Bartending for events like wrestling matches, football and baseball games.
- Set up bar, clean area, take inventory and handle cash/ credit card transactions.
- Keeping an eye on making sure no one is becoming too heavily intoxicated at the event with skills learned through personal experience as well as my Level 2 Team Coalition training.
Bar Manager
Alebrije Mexican Restaurant
Iowa City, IA
10.2021 - 07.2022
- Consulting the owner's prior to grand opening on main bar operations, creation of primary bar menu and signature drinks, creation of bar manual & recipe books for staff, ordering needed bar supplies to have a full bar like tools and necessary popular liquors, curating an extensive tequila & mezcal collection
- Menu design & creation
- Regularly updating the bar menu for current trends & creating unique seasonal drinks
- Hiring and training of bar staff/ creation of training materials
- Conducting regular trainings menu updates
- Overseeing staff & managing bar operations
- Taking bar inventory for liquors, juices, garnishes and other needed items
- Photography & social media posting
- Bar promotions & driving sales
Education
GED -
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IASkills
- Exceptional customer service
- Professional appearance
- Hospitality service expertise
- Memory retention
- Cleanliness standards
- Safe food handling
- Menu memorization
- High volume dining
- Service prioritization
- Team collaboration
- Sales expertise
- Sales techniques
- Order accuracy
- Point of sale operation
- Allergy awareness
- Beverage preparation
- Tableside etiquette
- Task prioritization
- Guest seating
- Table setting
- Table setting knowledge
- Food and beverage pairings
- Wine service
- Wine pairings
- Multitasking and organization
- Upselling techniques
- Liquor, wine, and food service
Certification
ServeSafe Manager-Certificate number 25000385
Franklin Covey: 7 habits of habits of highly successful people 5.0
Timeline
Restaurant and Outlet manager
Hyatt Regency Coralville and Conference Center
03.2024 - 05.2025
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager/ Bar manager
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
01.2023 - 03.2024
Bartender/ Server
Copper Boar
08.2022 - 01.2023
Bar Manager
Alebrije Mexican Restaurant
10.2021 - 07.2022
Bartender/ Suite server
Aramark/ Xtreme Arena
09.2020 - 01.2023
GED -
Kirkwood Community College