Open To Work
Maggie Smolin
Cleveland
Work Preference
Summary
Hospitality professional with 6 years of restaurant experience in fine-dining and high-volume settings. Skilled in wine service, menu knowledge, upselling, private events, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Proven ability to manage large sections, anticipate guest needs, and maintain high service standards in fast-paced settings. Recognized for strong communication, teamwork, and building lasting guest relationships.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Host/ Food Runner/ Server Assistant/ Server
Wolf Pack Chorus
Cleveland
06.2023 - 02.2025
- Independently managed parties of 20+ guests while maintaining high service standards
- Increased check averages through strategic upselling of chef specials, wine pairings, and premium beverages
- Delivered professional wine service and guided guests on wine selections and pairings
- Provided attentive service to approximately 60 guests per shift while maintaining a welcoming and personalized experience
- Delivered exceptional service for private events, accommodating up to 200 guests, ensuring memorable experiences
- Collaborated with bussers, kitchen staff, hosts, and other servers to provide seamless service
- Trained and mentored 15+ new team members on service standards and restaurant procedures
- Completed beer, spirits and wine training courses as well as wine pairing classes
- Frequent event set ups, Including table settings, buffets, and service areas, ensuring a seamless guest experience
- Developed relationships with regular customers, remembering their names and preferences to create a personalized and welcoming atmosphere
- Streamlined seating charts and dining room flow to balance workload for waitstaff and improve table turnover
Chef/ Expo
Red, Wine, and Brew
Mentor
09.2021 - 06.2023
- Prepared and cooked menu items in a fast-paced open kitchen concept where only my station was open to guests with constant interaction
- Presented select dishes table side using fire
- Served as lead expo, coordinating communication between kitchen and front-of-house teams
- Contributed specialty dishes to the menu
- Skilled in food presentation, plating, garnishing, and visual styling
- Executed daily visual merchandising by updating large-format chalkboards with currents specials, craft cocktails, featured menu items and often drawings of the items.
- Operated large-volume cooking equipment, such as stone pizza ovens and deep fat fryers.
- Maintained strict food safety and sanitation standards
Kitchen/cashier
P&Ps Pizzeria
Concord
05.2019 - 09.2021
- Welcomed guests promptly and guided them through the menu, offering recommendations that increased upselling of appetizers and specialty items.
- Served guests utensils, drinks, and food while proactively checking on their satisfaction throughout their experience
- Maintained clean dining area and promptly cleaned tables to enhance guest comfort and experience
- Resolved guest concerns professionally and efficiently
- Trained new employees on store policies, POS operations, and customer service standards to ensure consistent service quality
- Trained new employees on store policies, POS operations, customer service standards, food preparation, cooking and cleaning.
- Ensured efficient execution of food orders for guest satisfaction.
Education
Teaching Professions Pathways
Auburn Career Center
08.2020 - 05.2022
High School Diploma - General Course of Study
Berkshire High School
08.2010 - 06.2022
Some College (No Degree) - Special Education
Kent State
08.2022 - 05.2023
Skills
- Fine Dining Service
- Wine Service & Pairings
- High-Volume Service
- Upselling & Sales
- Guest Relations
- Private Event Service
- Reservation Management
- POS Systems
- Menu Knowledge
- Food Safety & Sanitation
- Cash Handling
- Team Leadership & Training
Certification
- OSHA 10-Hour Certified
- CPR Certified
- Communicable Disease Training
- First Aid Certified
Timeline
Host/ Food Runner/ Server Assistant/ Server
Wolf Pack Chorus
06.2023 - 02.2025
Some College (No Degree) - Special Education
Kent State
08.2022 - 05.2023
Chef/ Expo
Red, Wine, and Brew
09.2021 - 06.2023
Teaching Professions Pathways
Auburn Career Center
08.2020 - 05.2022
Kitchen/cashier
P&Ps Pizzeria
05.2019 - 09.2021
High School Diploma - General Course of Study
Berkshire High School
08.2010 - 06.2022