Melissa Fathallah
White Plains,NY
Summary
Seasoned Hospitality veteran with a solid and diverse management background in the industry. My main focus has been catering management, especially off premise catering. My management, leadership style, passion for what I do as well as my multitasking capabilities have made it possible for me to seamlessly morph into a wedding and event planner. I have worked internationally, with different cultures, in different settings, while always meeting, if not exceeding clients expectations. My drive and passion for the hospitality industry stems from my accomplishments, especially with clients, the love for what I do, and the dedication I give to the clients and the company.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Co-Founder & Vice President
Baytna Baytak (NGO)
Beirut, Lebanon
03.2020 - 01.2022
- Managed first response relief providing housing for 850 medical front liners and COVID patients.
- Supported the rebuild of 1,500 homes following the Beirut port explosion of August 2020, by scouting severely damaged homes, while securing temporary shelter for displaced families.
Key Account Sales Manager
L'Olivier Catering
Beit Mery, Lebanon
02.2019 - 10.2019
- Generated $2.5M in total profit by boosting sales, cutting costs, and enhancing efficiency.
- Guided clients through menu and venue options while spearheading event operations.
Events Operations Manager
Faqra Catering SAL
Beirut, Lebanon
01.2016 - 02.2019
- Successfully orchestrated a variety of regional events including a 3,000 guest royal wedding in Abu Dhabi, where I oversaw a team of 80 staff members managing the VIP section.
- Nurtured and built relationships with vendors, venues and industry contacts to obtain best pricing and services for events.
Banquet & Sales Manager
EddeSands Hotel & Wellness Resort
Byblos, Lebanon
10.2013 - 12.2015
- Engaged with clients in planning, execution, and logistics of weddings and events.
- Used industry trends and pricing to engineer a variety of meticulously crafted menus.
Sales and Operations Executive
Faqra Catering SAL
Beirut, Lebanon
10.2009 - 09.2013
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Owned logistics of mid and high-end profile events locally and globally starting with client intake meeting and up to execution, doubling international events per year.
Restaurant Manager
Cafe Gray ( 3 Star Michelin Chef)
New York, NY
01.2008 - 06.2008
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Quickly identified problem situations and skillfully resolved incidents to satisfaction of involved parties.
- Directed and supported a team of 20 members, and tracked daily sales.
Restaurant Manager
The Hudson Cafeteria
New York, NY
12.2005 - 05.2007
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
- Oversaw nightly restaurant operations with covers ranging from 100 to 350 and led a unionized staff of 15 members.
- Evaluated daily restaurant sales against hotel occupancy, to build monthly forecasts and annual budget targets.
Assistant Food Service Director
ARAMARK NYU Weinstien Hall
New York, NY
08.2004 - 10.2005
- Managed and directed a team of 40 employees and 3 supervisors.
- Monitored monthly forecasts, cost control, purchasing and cash handling.
- Conducted safety and sanitation meetings by using HACCP, NYC Health, and Sanitation Department guidelines.
Catering Director
ARAMARK Barnard College
New York, NY
08.2003 - 05.2004
- Developed and maintained reputable client relationships, ensured new clients' growth, and strengthened current clients' loyalty.
- Effectively managed and led the campus catering team daily.
- Planned events for students and higher end clients using various menus.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
Assistant Catering Manager
Restaurant Associates, JP Morgan Chase
New York, NY
10.2002 - 08.2003
- Effectively managed a team of eight catering attendants.
- Provided service and detailed planning for special events up to 3000 people.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hotel And Restaurant Management
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI 09.1997 - 05.2001
Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Expert multi-tasker for multi-simultaneous projects
- Team player
- Lead through venue and vendor sourcing
- Event plan efficiently while adhering to budget
- Operational Improvements through forecasting
- Team staffing according to workload
- Full service restaurant and catering background
- Menu engineering according to themes
- Coordination between different departments
- Detail oriented in event management
- Out of the box thinking and creative solutions
Timeline
Co-Founder & Vice President
Baytna Baytak (NGO)
03.2020 - 01.2022
Key Account Sales Manager
L'Olivier Catering
02.2019 - 10.2019
Events Operations Manager
Faqra Catering SAL
01.2016 - 02.2019
Banquet & Sales Manager
EddeSands Hotel & Wellness Resort
10.2013 - 12.2015
Sales and Operations Executive
Faqra Catering SAL
10.2009 - 09.2013
Restaurant Manager
Cafe Gray ( 3 Star Michelin Chef)
01.2008 - 06.2008
Restaurant Manager
The Hudson Cafeteria
12.2005 - 05.2007
Assistant Food Service Director
ARAMARK NYU Weinstien Hall
08.2004 - 10.2005
Catering Director
ARAMARK Barnard College
08.2003 - 05.2004
Assistant Catering Manager
Restaurant Associates, JP Morgan Chase
10.2002 - 08.2003
Bachelor of Science - Hotel And Restaurant Management
Johnson & Wales University
09.1997 - 05.2001
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