Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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JUSTIN DARBY

Santa Monica,CA

Summary

Versatile Fine Dining Server adaptable to changing menu items, guest preferences and restaurant standards. Capable of stepping into any food service role with ease. Desiring to bring 10 years of related experience and take on a new growth-oriented position. Proven success providing high-quality customer service in fast-paced, high-stress environments. Generate thoughtful recommendations and accommodate dietary restrictions.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Wine Director

Lucky's Steak House
02.2024 - Current
  • Curated extensive wine list, enhancing guest experience and increasing beverage sales.
  • Implemented staff training programs on wine selection and pairing techniques.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with wine distributors to secure exclusive offerings.
  • Conducted regular inventory assessments to optimize stock levels and reduce waste.
  • Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust wine selections accordingly.

Head Sommelier

Landry’s Inc
02.2023 - 01.2025
  • Trained service staff on wines, spirits and cocktails to maximize revenue and maintain stellar reputation for service.
  • Coordinated wine selection and restocking for cellar with over 2000+ bottles.
  • Oversaw successful bar service and operations to handle as many as 900+ guests per day.
  • Implemented new promotional strategies, dramatically increasing business.
  • Curated extensive wine list to enhance guest experience and align with culinary offerings.

Server / Sommelier

Alexanders Steakhouse
10.2022 - 06.2024
  • Monitored conditions of wine cellar, keeping all bottles stored at appropriate temperature.
  • Represented establishment professionally with guests and earned consistent repeat and referral business.
  • Handled questions and concerns skillfully and redirected guests for most appropriate pairing.
  • Promoted special wine menu for holidays to complement chef's dinner specialties.
  • Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to guest.
  • Asked guests for feedback, solved problems, provided thoughtful recommendations creating consistent experience of high quality.

Lead Server

Arroyo Chop House
01.2020 - 09.2022
  • Learned and utilized extensive bar and wine knowledge to enhance guest dining experiences.
  • Showed high-level understanding of fine dining standards and practices.
  • Suggested wine pairings to go with specific menu items
  • Exclusively responsible for VIP guests, insuring consistent quality experiences for clients.
  • Coordinated foodservice operations between kitchen staff and dining room servers.
  • Handled client complaints professionally, resolving issues discreetly and effectively, acknowledged issues quickly and provided efficient solutions with commitment to service the primary objective.

Server

Bouchon
10.2017 - 01.2020
  • Created orders, documented special requests and followed up with kitchen personnel to foster top-quality service and minimize complaints
  • Stayed up to date on menu changes to offer current and accurate information, answer questions and help customers select optimal meal choices based on individual preferences
  • Applied communication and problem-solving skills to resolve customer complaints and promote long-term loyalty
  • Managed sections for smooth flow of guests and orders
  • Suggested wine pairings to go with specific menu items
  • Maintained table settings by removing courses, replacing utensils and refilling beverages promptly and courteously
  • Greeted new customers, discussed specials, took drink orders and built immediate positive connections with guests

Server

Cadiz Ristorante
02.2014 - 09.2017
  • Maintained detailed knowledge of menu items and ingredients to drive sales
  • Acquired loyal customers and received outstanding reviews Up-sold wines, liquors and menu items with professional appearance and mannerism
  • Anticipated and fulfilled guests needs and requests,Consistently exceeded sales expectations
  • Enhanced dining experience by ensuring each guest received immediate, personalized and professional attention
  • Served high volume of customers and was entrusted with important clients and large groups
  • Constructed impressive statements describing daily specials
  • Performed complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs

Education

Bachelor of Science - Astronomy And Planetary Science

University of California, Santa Barbara

High School Diploma - Glendora

Glendora High school
2013

Skills

  • Fine Dining Expertise
  • Performance tuning
  • High-volume
  • Food sales and promotion
  • Elegant menu descriptions
  • Point of sale knowledge
  • Advanced understanding of wine
  • Proper wine service
  • Level 2 Sommelier Expertise

Timeline

Wine Director

Lucky's Steak House
02.2024 - Current

Head Sommelier

Landry’s Inc
02.2023 - 01.2025

Server / Sommelier

Alexanders Steakhouse
10.2022 - 06.2024

Lead Server

Arroyo Chop House
01.2020 - 09.2022

Server

Bouchon
10.2017 - 01.2020

Server

Cadiz Ristorante
02.2014 - 09.2017

High School Diploma - Glendora

Glendora High school

Bachelor of Science - Astronomy And Planetary Science

University of California, Santa Barbara

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