Katie Waidell

Aliso Viejo,CA

Summary

Career began as a barista at 16, leading to 17 years of managing a family-owned food truck business and 8 years of experience in wedding and formal event catering. Established a successful catering business for 3 years before transitioning into corporate catering sales in 2022. Extensive knowledge in catering, customer service, business management, event planning, and sales.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Catering Sales Manager

Alonti Catering

12.2022 - Current

Organized corporate meetings, special events.
Ensured adherence to budgetary constraints while delivering high-quality catering experiences for clients.
Maintained accurate records of client meetings, booked events, and financial transactions using CRM software.
Generated new business leads through targeted marketing campaigns and networking initiatives.
Prospect new clients by door to door marketing and networking through existing clients.
Monitored industry trends to stay competitive within the catering market space.
Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.

Small Business Owner

Tool Time Catering

03.2021 - Current

Supervised employees and provided onsite training and continuing education to staff.
Set pricing structures according to market analytics and emerging trends.
Analyzed internal processes and implemented procedural or policy changes to improve operations.
Controlled shrinkage and product loss with monitoring and inventory management systems.
Trained, coached and mentored employees to facilitate safety and consistent quality of work.
Designed detailed business plans to outline finances, goals and operations of company.
Represented integrity and professionalism in business, serving as mentor and role model to staff.
Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
Consistently maintained high levels of cleanliness, organization, storage and sanitation of food and beverage products to ensure quality.
Resolved problems or concerns to satisfaction of involved parties.
Exhibited thorough knowledge of foods, beverages, supervisory duties, service techniques and guest interactions.
Obtained highest rating from county health department year over year.
Built revenue by delivering innovative catering services, leading region in catering sales.
Organized event facility, food and beverage selections and audio-visual arrangements.
Produced contracts and invoices for events and monitored fee collection.
Assessed event success and identified improvement areas through client feedback.

Wedding Planner Assistant

Joy N Company

04.2021 - 09.2021

Inspected event facilities to verify conformance to customer requirements.
Coordinated event catering, signage, displays, security and transportation for participants.
Met with service providers to evaluate offerings and pricing structures.
Organized venues, budgets, guest lists, catering and event timelines.
Booked venues, developed guest lists and organized catering services to plan events and department activities.
Designed contracts, collected fees and booked venues for events.
Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Juggled multiple projects and tasks to ensure high quality and timely delivery.
Demonstrated self-reliance by meeting and exceeding workflow needs.
Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
Improved operations by working with team members and customers to find workable solutions.
Motivated and encouraged team members to communicate more openly and constructively with each other.

Wedding Caterer

Iva Lee's Catering

03.2013 - 03.2021

Greeted arriving guests and escorted each to assigned tables, took drink orders and answered questions about events.
Completed opening and closing checklists to ensure smooth restaurant operations.
Prepared and maintained buffet and salad bar by checking temperatures, restocking food and monitoring potential avenues of contamination.
Collaborated with kitchen staff to deliver food smoothly, adapting service based on customer requests and kitchen readiness.
Communicated with hosts, bussers and kitchen staff to prepare for and serve customers.
Arranged place settings with clean tablecloths, napkins and tableware to prepare for incoming guests.
Educated guests on meals during by answering questions and bringing special orders.
Provided exceptional service to high volume of daily customers.
Maintained counter display stocked and accurately labeled with fresh desserts and baked goods, preparing additional inventory as required and notifying customers when sold out.
Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
Demonstrated leadership by making improvements to work processes and helping to train others.
Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
Developed diagrams and floor plans with event setup requirements.

Education

General Studies

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA

Skills

Client acquisition
Marketing
Catering oversight
Corporate event expertise

Attention to detail
Problem-solving abilities
Relationship building
Self motivation

Languages

Spanish

Professional

Education and Training

other

Timeline