Kristy Balander
Spanaway,WA
Summary
Skilled Food and Beverage professional with strong background in restaurant, bar, catering and event serving. Prepares garnishes and sets up bars for special events. Advanced mixology knowledge, including craft cocktails and signature drinks. Banquet Bartender dedicated to team success and willing to assist with all aspects of event preparation and breakdown. Successful at tending bar, managing customer requests and resolving conflicts calmly. Capable Job Title passionate about serving customers well while exceeding customer expectations and maintaining poise and sense of humor in demanding environments. Strong history of exceptional service in Type establishments.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Catering Bartender/ Server
McCormick And Schmick's
Museum of Flight WA
09.2022 - Current
- Safeguarded patrons'' well-being by adhering to responsible alcohol service guidelines and identifying signs of intoxication.
- Increased event efficiency by maintaining a clean and organized bar area.
- Streamlined beverage service by setting up portable bars and equipment at off-site locations.
- Maintained a professional appearance and demeanor while engaging with guests at diverse social functions.
- Enhanced guest experience with expert knowledge of drink recipes and personalized recommendations.
Sales Associate
PepsiCo
Federal Way, WA
09.2020 - 08.2022
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Managed returns, exchanges and refunds in accordance with store policy.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy, high-stress situations.
Sales Representative
Nabisco Brands
Kent, WA
07.2019 - 08.2020
- Enhanced client satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and providing exceptional service.
- Generated additional sales opportunities with upselling and cross-selling techniques.
- Expanded customer base through cold calling, networking, and relationship building.
- Increased sales revenue by identifying and targeting high-potential accounts.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends for informed decision-making during client interactions.
Sales Representative
Mission Foods Corporation
Fife, WA
05.2008 - 05.2019
Bartender/Server/Key Employee
Applbee's
Seattle, WA
06.2000 - 05.2008
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
Bartender/Server/Key Employee
Golden Steer Steakhouse
Kent, WA
05.1994 - 05.2000
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Reduced wait times for drinks by efficiently managing the bar area and prioritizing orders.
- Enhanced overall guest experience by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues professionally.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Assisted with staff training, sharing expertise in bartending techniques and customer service best practices.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Educated customers on drink options, making personalized recommendations based on preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Supported special events through attentive service, adapting quickly to varying needs of guests or clients.
- Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation.
- Proactively addressed potential conflicts or disturbances among patrons, maintaining a safe atmosphere for all guests.
- Followed strict recipes and drink measurements to minimize product used.
- Explained daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals.
- Conducted regular inventory count to keep bar and drink supplies stocked, avoiding expensive rush orders.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Recruited and trained new bartenders and barbacks to help maintain talented team.
- Consistently met or exceeded sales targets by upselling premium products without compromising guest satisfaction.
Education
Associate Degree In Business - Business
Green River Community College
Auburn, WA05.1984
High School Diploma -
Auburn High School
Auburn, AL05.1984
Skills
- Speed and Accuracy
- Efficient multitasking
- Cleanliness standards
- Flexible Schedule
- Cash handling expertise
- Stress Tolerance
- Bar Equipment Maintenance
- Drink Presentation
- Menu development
- Advanced Wine Knowledge
- Exceptional Mixology
- Personal grooming
- Glassware Selection
- Food Pairing Proficiency
- Specialty Cocktail Creation
- Adaptable Bartending
- Customer Service
- Setting up tables
- Preparing for events
- Sanitation Standards
- Making mixed drinks
- Professional Appearance
- Drink Preparation
- Wine and liquor knowledge
- Payment Collection
- Suggestive Selling
Timeline
Catering Bartender/ Server
McCormick And Schmick's
09.2022 - Current
Sales Associate
PepsiCo
09.2020 - 08.2022
Sales Representative
Nabisco Brands
07.2019 - 08.2020
Sales Representative
Mission Foods Corporation
05.2008 - 05.2019
Bartender/Server/Key Employee
Applbee's
06.2000 - 05.2008
Bartender/Server/Key Employee
Golden Steer Steakhouse
05.1994 - 05.2000
Associate Degree In Business - Business
Green River Community College
High School Diploma -
Auburn High School