Lidia Focacci
Weehawken
Summary
Skilled professional in the restaurant industry dedicated to enhancing guest experiences through exceptional service and expert wine pairings. Passion for culinary arts drives continuous knowledge growth, fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes quality and customer satisfaction.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Sommelier/Server
BAD ROMAN
Quality Branded
01.2023 - Current
- Provide expert wine recommendations and pairings to enhance guest dining experiences while managing wine inventory.
- Maintain cellar organization and support restaurant service standards.
- Assisted with staff education and ensured exceptional customer service in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
- Deliver exceptional fine dining customer service and guest relations.
- Shared wine knowledge with employees, encouraging team to develop wine knowledge through regular training sessions.
- Memorized menu choices and major ingredients in food, predominant flavors and textures to answer guest questions and recommend wine choices.
Floor Manager
MORANDI
McNally Group
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Supervised and oversaw the general operations during breakfast and dinner.
- Train front-of-house staff on how to provide professional food service and sell the menu.
- Educate and host classes for front-of-house staff on education of wine.
- Responsible for maintaining an A Department of Health grade by maintaining high standards of quality control, hygiene, and health and safety.
- Oversee all customer complaints and assist the problem accordingly for the best benefit of the customer and reputation of the restaurant.
General Manager
CELESTE RESTAURANT
01.2020 - 12.2022
- Supervised staff and Encouraged a positive and collaborative environment for front of house workers resulting in 5% a 5% increase in sales.
- Generated regulations and safety standards for Covid-19 for all employees and guests.
- Coordinated staff schedules to optimize workforce efficiency and coverage.
- Implemented inventory controls to maintain stock levels and reduce waste.
- Generated regulations and safety standards for Covid-19 for all employees and guests.
Server
OTTO ENOTECA PIZZERIA
B&B Hospitality Group
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Provided exceptional customer service in fast-paced dining environment.
- Provided excellent customer service to ensure satisfaction.
- Assisted guests with menu selections and dietary preferences.
- Handled customer complaints with professionalism and empathy.
- Ability to multitask while providing attentive service.
- Built rapport with customers to enhance their dining experience.
- Meet daily deadline objectives.
- Team player who helps wherever needed.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining area and service stations.
Captain
SORBILLO
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Lead team on daily sales goals and manage marketing.
- Promote restaurant online, Instagram, Facebook, etc.
- Oversaw marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility.
- Train new waiters and floor staff on guest service expectations, safety procedures, proper food handling, and restaurant protocols.
- Monitor dining room to ensure optimal guest experiences.
- Work with individual servers to improve performance.
- Answer customer inquiries and resolve issues promptly.
Server
D. O. C WINE BAR
01.2015 - 12.2017
- Advise guests on wines based on their personal tastes and food choices.
- Create and update wine list in coordination with chefs menu.
- Organize wine tasting.
- Meet daily sales goals.
Education
WSET LEVEL II -
INTERNATIONAL WINE CENTER
New York, NY01-2023
Marketing and Communication -
UNIVERSITÀ CARLO BO SCIENZE DELLE COMUNICAZIONI
Pesaro, Italy01-2010
culinary school -
ISTITUTO ALBERGHIERO FORLIMPOPOLI
Italy01-2007
Skills
- Wine Certification
- Wine service techniques
- Wine pairing
- Food Pairing
- Wine Marketing
- Menu knowledge
- Sales Techniques
- Service excellence
- Complaint resolution
- Project Management
- Time Management
- Computer Literacy
- Problem-Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Strong Communication
- Effective communication
- Multilingual communication
- Attention to detail
- Attention to details
Languages
- Italian
- English
- Spanish
Timeline
Sommelier/Server
BAD ROMAN
01.2023 - Current
Floor Manager
MORANDI
01.2022 - 12.2022
General Manager
CELESTE RESTAURANT
01.2020 - 12.2022
Server
OTTO ENOTECA PIZZERIA
01.2019 - 12.2020
Captain
SORBILLO
01.2017 - 12.2019
Server
D. O. C WINE BAR
01.2015 - 12.2017
WSET LEVEL II -
INTERNATIONAL WINE CENTER
Marketing and Communication -
UNIVERSITÀ CARLO BO SCIENZE DELLE COMUNICAZIONI
culinary school -
ISTITUTO ALBERGHIERO FORLIMPOPOLI