Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic
KAREN JOHNSON

KAREN JOHNSON

Miami Lakes,FL

Summary

A detailed professional with over 15 years of experience within luxurious and fine-dining Food & Beverage and Club Membership service. Has extensive knowledge in food, wine, and spirits and is known for her ability to anticipate guests’ needs and create memorable experiences. Is passionate about collaboration and teamwork.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate

Work History

Fontana Server

Biltmore Hotel
04.2021 - Current
  • Provide high-level elevated service at a fine dining Italian-inspired three-meal restaurant offering a full breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch
  • Successfully serve large parties of 20+ for celebratory events such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and more
  • Participate in executing monthly wine and whiskey dinners featuring various wineries and distilleries
  • Offer knowledgeable suggestions for menu choices as well as accurately describe dishes and ingredients to avoid allergies for any guests
  • Suggest well-paired accompaniments, wines, cocktails, and/or other beverages to enhance guest experience and increase overall check average
  • Ensure a positive guest experience by efficient multitasking, heightened attentiveness, and keen anticipatory service.

Restaurant Server

Troon, Ballen Isles Country Club
07.2020 - 03.2022
  • Provided elevated service to multiple country club guests and members within three different restaurants including a fine-dining restaurant featuring up-scale global cuisine, a weekly tasting menu, and signature cocktail list
  • Executed a relaxed experience at an indoor/outdoor restaurant and showcased attention to detail when describing seasonal dishes to guests and members
  • Anticipated needs and multitasked efficiently to serve all guests and members dining in a casual gastropub setting.

Restaurant Server

CORSAIR Kitchen, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
11.2018 - 04.2020
  • Participated as a key associate in the opening, brand transition, and expansion of the Resort and its American-inspired kitchen and bar, which included learning new service standards, attending luxury service trainings, and adjusting service styles to cater to the increase in business and change in clientele upon Tidal Cove Water Park’s opening
  • Implemented a service style that reflected a faster pace and higher sense of urgency for the influx of families and children visiting the restaurant
  • Executed personalized service for every guest dependent upon their personalities and expectations by using the guest’s name, building immediate positive connections, offering recommendations, and ensuring any food allergies were avoided
  • Increased food and beverage sales by utilizing upselling techniques such as explaining daily specials, recommending wine pairings based on menu selections, and enthusiastically describing appetizers and dessert items to drive consumption
  • Multitasked to keep server areas clean and stocked during service hours to increase efficiency
  • Interacted with club members and create memorable experiences by genuinely engaging with them and remembering their preferences and allergies upon arrival.

Restaurant Server

The Wanderers Club
01.2017 - 10.2018
  • Provided a fine-dining steakhouse experience for all guests attending brunch, lunch, or dinner by maintaining table settings and linens, removing courses when necessary, replacing utensils, and refilling beverages promptly and courteously
  • Remained well-versed on all menu items and changes to offer current and accurate information to guests as well as answer questions and assist customers in selecting optimal meal choices based on individual preferences
  • Performed complete opening, closing, and shift change duties to ensure service efficiency for fellow coworkers
  • Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts, and maintained accurate cash drawer
  • Partook in multiple wine tastings and trainings and partnered with the Restaurant Manager in recommending wine pairings based on guest meal selections.

Ironwood Steak and Seafood/Ibar Server

PGA National Golf Resort & Spa
01.2009 - 07.2017
  • Effectively served the golf clientele to include adjusting service style to casual and professional, remaining level-headed during peak times, and ensuring quick beverage service when necessary
  • Participated in the annual Honda Classic event by serving and engaging with 100,000+ golf guests every year, which increased in attendance year-over-year
  • Responsible for understanding and communicating the daily fresh fish specials and participating in wine, scotch, rum, and spirits tastings in an effort to elevate the guest dining experience
  • Ensured that all orders were accurate by repeating them back to the guest
  • Managed parties of 20+ along with a Server Assistant to include set up, service, and clearing of tables.

Education

Psychology

Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Skills

  • Menu Memorization
  • Suggestive Selling
  • Cash Handling
  • Dining Area Maintenance
  • Guest Relations Management
  • Plates Presentation
  • Service Prioritization
  • Hospitality Service Expertise
  • Wine and Liquor Service
  • Pos Operation
  • Menu Presentation
  • Menu Item Recommendation
  • Anticipating Guest Needs
  • Dining Room Cleaning and Upkeep
  • Daily Specials Memorization
  • Communication
  • Guest Satisfaction
  • Servsafe Certified
  • Order Accuracy and Delivery

Certification

  • Hospitality and Tourism Management, Florida Atlantic University-April 13, 2020
  • SafeStaff/ServSafe, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association-October 24 2022-2025

Timeline

Fontana Server

Biltmore Hotel
04.2021 - Current

Restaurant Server

Troon, Ballen Isles Country Club
07.2020 - 03.2022

Restaurant Server

CORSAIR Kitchen, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
11.2018 - 04.2020

Restaurant Server

The Wanderers Club
01.2017 - 10.2018

Ironwood Steak and Seafood/Ibar Server

PGA National Golf Resort & Spa
01.2009 - 07.2017

Psychology

Hartnell College

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KAREN JOHNSON