MARIAH COSTELLO
Washington,DC
Summary
Accomplished and versatile Restaurant Manager / Bar Manager / Chef Manager with over 20 years of high-volume fine dining and casual-premium experience in Washington, D.C. Proven track record of spearheading concept transitions, optimizing labor and food costs using advanced restaurant tech, and leading high-performing teams of up to 40 staff members. Adept at blending strict operational and financial control with creative beverage and event programming to drive revenue and community engagement.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Restaurant Manager / Chef Manager
BINDAAS BOWLS & ROLLS
Washington, DC
01.2026 - Current
- Concept Launch: Played an integral role in overseeing the development, launch, and opening of a new casual-premium Indian street-food concept modeled after the successful Penn Quarter location.
- Financial & Labor Optimization: Monitored monthly sales and engineered a restructured labor model to adapt to changing sales trends, successfully maintaining strict prime cost guidelines.
- Systems Administration: Managed daily updates, syncing, and reporting across Restaurant 365, Alliance payroll, TOAST POS time-card management, and Excel-based tip distribution.
- Operations & Inventory: Handled weekly scheduling, hiring, and training for a team of 20 cooks, cleaners, and counter staff while managing invoices and inventory to control food and beverage costs.
- Marketing & Programming: Led the creation of high-traffic discount offerings, curated pairings, and happy hour specials to drive foot traffic.
Restaurant Manager / Events Manager
BINDAAS RESTAURANT
Washington, DC
11.2021 - 01.2026
- Operational Leadership: Oversaw daily operations and standard operating procedures for a busy fine-dining concept, managing, coaching, and evaluating a team of 30–40 staff members.
- Revenue Generation: Coordinated Happy Hours, private parties, and prix-fixe dinners as Events Manager, contributing at least 10% to annual sales and securing high repeat bookings.
- Catering Expansion: Diversified the utilization of the Atrium space by developing a buffet-style catering menu, significantly increasing event revenue.
- Tech Integration: Utilized Harri, Gratshare, PosiTouch, and TOAST for seamless scheduling, payroll management, and tip distributions.
- Talent Acquisition: Spearheaded recruitment pipelines via Culinary Agents, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter, conducting all resume vetting, interviews, and onboarding.
- Cost & Compliance: Implemented strict waste-reduction measures, managed inventory audits, oversaw vendor purchasing, and ensured total compliance with health codes, labor laws, and HR resolutions.
- Key Achievement: Received two performance-based salary increases within the first year of management.
Lead Bartender / Server / Floor Supervisor
KNIGHTSBRIDGE RESTAURANT GROUP
Washington, DC
04.2010 - 11.2021
- Delivered elite table-side service and managed premium bar programs across multiple acclaimed group concepts, including Rasika West End, Modena, Sababa, Bindaas Foggy Bottom, and Ardeo+Bardeo.
- Critical Acclaim: Devised and implemented a highly successful craft cocktail program, releasing 6–8 innovative cocktails quarterly. Programs earned features in USA Today and recommendations from Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema.
- Elite Event Execution: Personally selected as part of an elite ten-person Knightsbridge hospitality team to execute an exclusive, private retirement event for Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema.
- VIP Hospitality: Trusted to provide high-end table-side service to high-profile guests, including former First Lady Michelle Obama.
- Floor Leadership: Stepped into Floor Supervisor duties at Ardeo+Bardeo, managing floor flow, guest relations, and conflict resolution.
Education
Global Affairs Coursework
Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC01.2012
Associate of Arts - International Studies
Montgomery Community College
Rockville, MD01.2010
Certification
- D.C. ABRA Manager’s License (Expires: 04-14-2028)
- D.C. Food Safety Manager’s Certificate (Expires: 03-21-2028)
- D.C. Alcohol Awareness Training Certification (Expires: 04-11-2028)
- D.C. Certificate Of Clean Hands (Issued 2025)
Awards
Award: Recipient of the Washington Peace Center “Activist Award” for outstanding work in civic and community engagement.
MEDIA & GLOBAL COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
- VOF99 RADIO (Lamont Street Artist Collective NW) – Washington, DC
- Founder / Producer / Host
- September 2011 – September 2017
- Team Administration: Responsible for the hiring, termination, training, and operational administration of a 15–25 person radio and production team.
- Media Production & Advocacy: Produced and edited audio for 12 distinct political talk radio programs syndicated across 1480AM, 97.5FM, WPFW 89.3, and international XM stations.
- High-Profile Forums: Facilitated live round-table discussions and conducted interviews with notable figures, including Angela Davis, Lauryn Hill, Dick Gregory, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Kiese Laymon.
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
French
Limited Working
Hindi
Limited Working
Arabic
Limited Working
ASL
Limited Working
Timeline
Restaurant Manager / Chef Manager
BINDAAS BOWLS & ROLLS
01.2026 - Current
Restaurant Manager / Events Manager
BINDAAS RESTAURANT
11.2021 - 01.2026
Lead Bartender / Server / Floor Supervisor
KNIGHTSBRIDGE RESTAURANT GROUP
04.2010 - 11.2021
Global Affairs Coursework
Trinity Washington University
Associate of Arts - International Studies
Montgomery Community College