Melissa Eppelheimer
Ellensburg,WA
Summary
Expert Bartender with history of working across hospitality sector, from upscale restaurants and boutique hotels to local watering holes and large music venues. Looking to bring mixology proficiency and engaging customer service skills to challenging environment.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender
Cottage Cafe And Fireside Lounge
Cle Elum, WA
07.2021 - Current
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Designed special drink and cocktail offerings on monthly basis as part of seasonal offerings.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Set up bar for operation, obtained cash bank and stocked service bar
- Handled simultaneous customer, team and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors
Bartender
Red Lion Hotel ,hampton House
Richland , WA
06.2020 - 11.2020
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Designed special drink and cocktail offerings on monthly basis as part of seasonal offerings.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Set up bar for operation, obtained cash bank and stocked service bar.
- Upsold daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits
Assistant Manager in Training
Ceder's
Kennewick, WA
05.2020 - 11.2020
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts, specialty drinks and customer-focused events.
- Took customer orders and capitalized on opportunities to sell special beverage and food options.
- Created effective employee schedules maintaining coverage at peak times and minimizing labor costs.
- Decreased waste, following strict recipes and drink measurement protocol.
- Guaranteed optimal beverage stock by assessing inventory and collaborating with owners for corrective action planning to limit expenses.
- Assisted servers with specialty drinks orders by preparing on-demand items without delay.
- Improved customer service rankings by resolving issues quickly and accurately.
- Managed team of 30 employees, overseeing hiring, training, and professional growth of employees
Restaurant Manager
Spiro's Family Restaurant
Shoreline, WA
06.2018 - 02.2019
- Developed, implemented and managed business plans to promote profitable food and beverage sales.
- Oversaw front of house personnel to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime.
- Maintained safe working and guest environment to reduce risk of injury and accidents.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Led and directed team members on effective methods, operations and procedures.
- Quickly identified problem situations and skillfully resolved incidents to satisfaction of involved parties.
- Organized receptions, promotions and corporate luncheons.
- Continuously evaluated business operations to effectively align workflows for optimal area coverage and customer satisfaction.
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Clearly and promptly communicated pertinent information to staff, such as large reservations or last minute menu changes.
- Spearheaded regular maintenance and repair operations to keep building and equipment in peak condition.
- Managed 30-person team of cooks and back of house staff for high-end family restaurant
Bar Manager
The Craft At The Islands Country Club
Rancho Mirage, CA
09.2016 - 05.2017
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts, specialty drinks and customer-focused events.
- Implemented drink prep procedures that significantly reduced wasted stock.
- Determined business needs by acquiring client feedback for process improvements.
- Maximized customer service by training staff, overseeing operations and resolving issues..
- Developed 3 signature cocktails for menu.
- Guaranteed optimal beverage stock by assessing inventory and collaborating with owners for corrective action planning to limit expenses.
- Assisted servers with specialty drinks orders by preparing on-demand items without delay.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations
- Consulted with managers to organize special events and promotions
- Increased profits with enhanced inventory oversight and strategic pricing adjustments
- Merged productivity initiatives while complying with restaurant policies and procedures
- Created effective employee schedules maintaining coverage at peak times and minimizing labor costs
- Implemented drink prep procedures that significantly reduced wasted stock
- Upsold daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals
Co Owner and Event Planner of Bar and Grill
Steve's Bar And Grill
Bellevue, WA
06.2009 - 11.2016
- Established working relationships with clients by organizing various events.
- Performed event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
- Corresponded with clients to answer questions and resolve issues..
- Selected and ordered décor and event materials.
- Recruited, hired and trained talented staff to fill vacancies.
- Continuously evaluated business operations to effectively align workflows for optimal area coverage and customer satisfaction.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
- Developed unique events and special promotions to drive sales.
- Reduced health risks and safety hazards by preparing beverage products consistently while creating cleaning schedules, restocking items and sanitizing equipment to adhere to health department standards.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Studied market to determine optimal pricing of goods and services and to capitalize on emerging opportunities
- Employed prompt decision-making and in-depth research to resolve issues
- Kept all building areas and equipment functional and well-organized to promote business performance
- Remained up-to-date on current trends and attended industry trade shows and markets to view and order inventory
Education
High School Diploma -
Escondido Alt High School
Escondido, CA06.1992
Skills
- Multitasking and Prioritization
- Bar Operations and Logistics
- Private Events and Catering
- Sales Development
- Issue Resolution
- Professional Service Standards
- Creative mixology
- Inventory
- Policies and procedures
- Drink consistency
- Staff Management
- New hire training
- Dining room management
- Group reservations management
- Performance improvement
- Hospitality service expertise
Timeline
Bartender
Cottage Cafe And Fireside Lounge
07.2021 - Current
Bartender
Red Lion Hotel ,hampton House
06.2020 - 11.2020
Assistant Manager in Training
Ceder's
05.2020 - 11.2020
Restaurant Manager
Spiro's Family Restaurant
06.2018 - 02.2019
Bar Manager
The Craft At The Islands Country Club
09.2016 - 05.2017
Co Owner and Event Planner of Bar and Grill
Steve's Bar And Grill
06.2009 - 11.2016
High School Diploma -
Escondido Alt High School