KEVIN AVOLA
The Obscure
Sherman Oaks,CA
1
Language
11
years of professional experience
Motivated and results-driven bar industry professional seeking an opportunity within a passionate and inclusive company. Offering a strong foundation in restaurant experience, sales tracking, beverage knowledge, batch/prep skills, and mentorship and development; with a proven ability to drive efficiency, deliver successful outcomes, and collaborate with diverse and challenging minds. Effectively reports upward and downward trends and issues, making adjustments to maintain business competitiveness. Upholds a high standard of communication through clear expectations, responsibility, and empathy. Thrives on creativity and manages with integrity to foster consistent and positive customer and employee relations.
Work History
Bartender
8 Months- Crafted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages incorporating in-house made teas, syrups, and liqueurs.
- Curated on-the-spot cocktails and cocktail menus for themed Members’ Nights.
- Refined large batch recipes to enhance flavor profiles and streamline preparation.
- Worked with management and led efforts in assembling training programs, documents and standards for positions including bartending, batch prepping (super juices, syrups, tinctures, and season cocktails), orientation, and pit crew positions.
- Sales associate for our house-made spirits including our one-of-a-kind Chestnut Rye and Chestnut Rye Scotch.
Bar Manager
9 Months- Oversaw daily bar operations.
- Bartended (solo) events with attendances between 15 and 200 people, generating between $5,000 and $20,000 in sales.
- Took food and beverage orders and offered exceptional pairings. Crafted alcoholic beverages and gave exceptional experiences for customers.
- Led efforts in restructuring the training program by standardizing drink building techniques and recipes, procedures of bar and well set-up, daily, weekly and monthly cleaning tasks, cohesive POS reorganization, and an updated food and drink pairing list for both bartenders and servers.
- Conducted audits and made additions to cocktail menus.
Floor Manager / Mixologist
2 Years 3 Months- Crafted five cocktails featured on exclusive and seasonal menus. One of which sold over 2000 units within 4 months, becoming the highest grossing partner created cocktail in Starbucks history.
- Managed events for celebrities and politicians with attendance from 15 to 400 people, achieving sales between $5,000 and $100,000.
- Led efforts in assembling training programs and standards for a change in service model: switching from single point transactions to full table service, including creating deployment maps, troubleshooting technology, restructuring menus, and position responsibilities.
- Trained and mentored new mixologists and supervisors on recipes, procedures, position responsibilities, and company standards.
- Spearheaded efforts with Starbucks management to create a “Mixologist Masters” program (inspired by the “Coffee
Masters” program) to enhance Starbucks partners' knowledge of liquor, spirits, wines, and beers. - Managed diverse teams by collaborating with upper management and employees to resolve issues and foster organization in fast-paced, ambiguous, and disorganized situations.
Brand Specialist
3 Months- Collaborated with marketing and event specialists on pricing, inventory logistics, and event promotions.
- Created a training program that would teach employees how to teach customers the basics of bartending, which was included in the cocktail class.
- Created special cocktail menus for private events.
- Led efforts in creating, structuring, and conducting cocktail classes.
Barista / Shift Supervisor
4 Years- Crafted high-quality drinks using extensive coffee and tea knowledge.
- Managed inventory and placed orders for food, dry product, milk, tea, and chemicals. Tracked waste.
- Tracked sales and managed cash to align with business needs and enhance revenue.
- Trained and mentored new baristas on recipes, procedures, position responsibilities, and company standards.
Delivery Driver / Shift Manager / Sales Associate
4 Years- Prepped meat, cheese, and produce to meet projected sales targets.
- Successfully sold $9,000 in catering for a Comcast business outing, and $15,000 in catering for a Paylocity business recruitment outing.
- Conducted cold/warm calling, acquired new clientele, scheduled client meetings, prepared sandwich samples, closed catering deals, and exceeded catering goals.
- Developed and successfully achieved business goals.
Education
BS - Sociology
Skills
Conflict Resolution
Communication Skills
Deployment
High-volume Adaptability
Training
Event Coordination
Professional Development
Personal Development
Mentorship
Batch preparation
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Bartender
The Obscure
01.2026 - CurrentRead More
Bar Manager
Anejo Cantina
11.2025 - 08.2026Read More
Brand Specialist
Rhine Hall Distillery
05.2024 - 08.2024Read More
Floor Manager / Mixologist
Starbucks Siren Retail
07.2023 - 10.2025Read More
Barista / Shift Supervisor
Starbucks Coffee Company
07.2019 - 07.2023Read More
Delivery Driver / Shift Manager / Sales Associate
Jimmy John’s
08.2015 - 08.2019Read More
Arizona State University
BS from Sociology
Read More