Kristi Poledouris
Garden Grove,CA
Summary
Achieved high levels of guest satisfaction by delivering outstanding service in upscale dining venues. Contributed to a culture of teamwork and excellence, ensuring seamless service delivery. Leveraged extensive industry knowledge to foster a commitment to quality and care in food service operations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dinner Server
Laguna Cliffs Marriott
Dana Point, CA
05.2023 - Current
- Delivered exceptional dining experiences through attentive service and menu knowledge.
- Facilitated timely order processing and delivery for optimal guest satisfaction.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining area to enhance guest comfort.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure accurate meal preparation and presentation.
- Resolved guest concerns effectively, improving overall dining experience and loyalty.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined service flow during peak hours.
- Assisted in maintaining a clean and organized dining area for an enjoyable dining experience.
- Consistently met or exceeded upselling goals through persuasive promotion of daily specials and beverage options.
- Maintained strict adherence to food safety regulations, preventing potential health hazards in the dining environment.
- Earned recognition from management for consistently receiving positive customer reviews, reflecting exceptional service skills.
- Delivered outstanding service with a friendly demeanor, contributing to positive guest feedback.
- Performed closing duties including cleaning floors, wiping down surfaces, and restocking necessary items for efficient opening shifts.
- Handled guest complaints professionally, resolving issues promptly and effectively.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing attentive and efficient dinner service.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely delivery of meals, resulting in reduced wait times.
- Streamlined communication between front-of-house and back-of-house teams for improved order accuracy and efficiency.
- Supported banquet events by efficiently serving large groups, ensuring seamless event execution for client satisfaction.
- Maximized table turnover rates by promptly clearing dishes and resetting tables after guest departure.
- Trained new hires on restaurant protocols and procedures, leading to their successful integration into the team.
- Managed multiple tables simultaneously while maintaining high-quality service standards for all guests.
- Anticipated guest needs by refilling drinks proactively and offering additional items when appropriate, elevating overall dining experience quality.
- Mastered menu knowledge to confidently answer guest inquiries and make personalized recommendations.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
Dinner Server
Saline at Hotel Joaquin
Laguna Beach, CA
09.2019 - Current
- Offering upscale, refined dining experiences to hotel guests in an intimate restaurant which offers indoor and outdoor seating with ocean views We provide craft beers on tap, wine service, and craft cocktails from a full bar selection, along with Executive Chef Leandro Bongarra's exceptional dinner menu offerings. He prepares unique menu items with fresh, seasonal, healthy, and delicious selections which hint of his upbringing in his hometown in Argentina.
Dinner Server
Morton’s Steakhouse
Costa Mesa, CA
10.2021 - 06.2024
- Provided training and mentorship to new servers on service standards and procedures.
- Led team initiatives to enhance customer engagement and promote special events.
- Led pre-shift meetings to communicate daily features or updates with fellow servers fostering productive teamwork.
- Assisted in the development of seasonal menus, providing input on customer preferences and showcasing culinary trends for increased return visits.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations.
- Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
Dinner/Lounge Server at Napa Rose
Disneyland Resorts
Anaheim, CA
07.2018 - 04.2019
- I confidently served guests from extraordinary seasonal and weekly menus offering farm-to-market produce, sustainable seafood, and some of the country's highest quality meats. in addition, wine was available from one of OC's largest restaurant wine inventory. I offered cocktails from a full bar selection where the craft cocktails and local beers on tap were a favorite among guests. I was trained in Forbes standards of service, and while working there Napa Rose became Forbes only Disney recommended restaurant which was very exciting to be a part of.
Food Server
Resort at Pelican Hill with Pelican Grill
Newport Beach, CA
09.2017 - 12.2017
- I worked as a food server for lunch, brunch, and dinner shifts, and helped to set up, break down, and provide excellent hospitality and service for private events which were arranged through the special events department. I eagerly participated in wine promotions and successfully provided enjoyable service to large crowds and higher than normal demands during Travelzoo voucher promotional periods.
Dinner Server
The Ritz-Carlton
Dana Point, CA
06.2005 - 01.2017
- Excellent customer service skills and guest engagement, high products, food and beverage, amenities, creating guests for life, using the mystique system, following brand standards, honoring AAA, Forbes, and Marriott standards of service.
Education
High School Diploma - General Ed.
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA06.1998
Skills
- POS (10 years)
- Customer Services (10 years)
- Customer Relations (10 years)
- Strong work ethic
- Food safety awareness
- Efficient movement
- Memory retention
- Professional appearance
- Wine pairing
- Food allergy awareness
- Exceptional customer service
- Team collaboration
- Guest engagement
Certification
- Food Handler
- Alcohol Awareness
Timeline
Dinner Server
Laguna Cliffs Marriott
05.2023 - Current
Dinner Server
Morton’s Steakhouse
10.2021 - 06.2024
Dinner Server
Saline at Hotel Joaquin
09.2019 - Current
Dinner/Lounge Server at Napa Rose
Disneyland Resorts
07.2018 - 04.2019
Food Server
Resort at Pelican Hill with Pelican Grill
09.2017 - 12.2017
Dinner Server
The Ritz-Carlton
06.2005 - 01.2017
High School Diploma - General Ed.
Golden West College