Justin DeMartine
Queens,NY
Summary
Customer-focused and results-oriented Hospitality professional with a proven track record of success in leading high-profile establishments and catering to celebrity clientele. Adept at creating and implementing strategies to enhance customer experiences, efficiency, quality, and profitability. 15+ years experience in vegan restaurant scene in NYC, coupled with a passion for delivering unforgettable dining experiences make me an asset to any customer-first brand. Ready to leverage expertise to drive growth and elevate client satisfaction.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Manager
Blossom Restaurants
11.2023 - 03.2024
- Supported needs of 10+ person wait staff who attended to specific needs of countless customers daily for upscale Vegan/Kosher restaurant with social relevancy and intentionality.
- Managed daily operations to ensure high level of efficiency, consistency, and quality in both food and service.
- Improved overall customer satisfaction by implementing new service standards and staff training programs, resulting in increase of return diners and high profile clientele.
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers, and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
- Tracked daily sales transactions and invoices for accurate and updated financial reporting.
- Optimized labor costs by closely monitoring schedules, adjusting staffing levels according to business needs, and employing cross-training strategies.
- Quickly identified problem situations and skillfully resolved incidents to satisfaction of involved parties.
Team Lead / Server
Blossom Restaurants
01.2022 - 11.2023
- Collaborated with and supervised team of 10+ servers
- Owned all front of house duties independently and acted as manager during daytime shifts
- Completed opening / closing procedures such as; financial reporting, cleaning, restock, and set-up
- Trained new servers and floor staff on guest expectations, safety, food handling, and protocols
- Answered phone inquiries, completed reservations, and to go orders while serving and managing staff
- Maintained a clean and organized work environment, ensuring safety standards were met consistently.
- Collaborated with other restaurant leads to streamline workflows, improve interdepartmental coordination, and achieve business goals collectively.
Team Lead / Server / Bartender
Urban Vegan Kitchen
11.2019 - 01.2022
- Served as role model for team by demonstrating commitment to excellence, professionalism, and adherence to company values at all times.
- Provided exceptional customer service by greeting guests warmly, taking orders accurately, and ensuring prompt delivery of food and beverages.
- Anticipated guests' needs and preferences, making personalized recommendations to enhance their dining experience.
- Managed high volume of orders efficiently, prioritizing tasks to ensure timely service during peak periods.
- Successfully upsold menu items, beverages, and specials which resulted in increased sales and enhanced guest experience.
- Assisted colleagues during busy periods, lending support to maintain efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Prioritized tasks based on urgency and demand, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing wait times for guests.
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Double Zero
04.2019 - 10.2019
- Assisted in managing day-to-day operations of high-volume Matthew Kinney restaurant, ensuring exceptional customer service and satisfaction.
- Managed team of up to 16 restaurant staff, maintaining exceptional customer service and quality standards.
- Played pivotal role in training and supervising front-of-house staff, focusing on maintaining brand standards and delivering top-notch service.
- Owned in regular staff training sessions and tastings to stay abreast of menu changes, wine pairings, and service techniques, continuously enhancing skills and knowledge.
- Assisted in launching franchise model in previously untapped marke
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills by effectively delegating tasks and responsibilities, fostering a positive work environment, and motivating team members to achieve goals.
Server / Bartender
Double Zero
02.2015 - 04.2019
- 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.
Server
Angelica Kitchen
06.2008 - 04.2015
- Demonstrated expertise in providing exemplary customer service to high-profile and celebrity clientele
- Established rapport and built long-term relationships with VIP customers
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Maintained clean and orderly dining area for enjoyable guest experience.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure seamless service delivery to VIP guests
- Received commendations and positive feedback for exceeding expectations in customer satisfaction
Founder
No Direction Co.
08.2016 - Current
- Promoted business via social media to generate leads and maximize brand identity.
- Achieved consistent growth with careful planning and execution of business development initiatives.
- Fulfilled customer shipping needs by completing all purchase orders and customer invoices.
- Implemented innovative inventory management practices to minimize stockouts and reduce overhead costs.
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Film And Media Studies
CUNY Hunter
New York, NY05.2009
Skills
- Customer-focused
- Multitasking
- Active Listening and Problem Resolution
- Organization and Time Management
- Sales expertise
- Service Upselling
- Brand representation
- Scheduling
- G-Suite
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Adobe
Timeline
Restaurant Manager
Blossom Restaurants
11.2023 - 03.2024
Team Lead / Server
Blossom Restaurants
01.2022 - 11.2023
Team Lead / Server / Bartender
Urban Vegan Kitchen
11.2019 - 01.2022
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Double Zero
04.2019 - 10.2019
Founder
No Direction Co.
08.2016 - Current
Server / Bartender
Double Zero
02.2015 - 04.2019
Server
Angelica Kitchen
06.2008 - 04.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Film And Media Studies
CUNY Hunter