Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Michael Hotchkiss

Chicago,IL

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven bartender with extensive experience at Soho House Chicago & a list of other bars around Chicago, excelling in customer service and team leadership. Proven ability to enhance guest experiences through suggestive selling and innovative cocktail creation. Basset certified and skilled in conflict resolution, consistently ensuring compliance with health standards while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Club Bartender

Soho House Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
04.2022 - Current
  • Members club bartender that always insures the members feel welcome and taken care of. Fast paced environment. Multiple parties every year with 1,000+ people and events every week. Responsible for bar prep and for ensuring speed and efficiency throughout shifts and some shifts as just a service well bartender in charge of pumping out hundreds of drinks.Mixed cocktails and prepared beverages according to established recipes.
  • I bartend the members club as well as the always busy rooftop
  • Provided excellent customer service in a fast-paced bar environment.
  • Cleaned and sanitized bar areas, ensuring compliance with health standards.
  • Created a welcoming atmosphere by engaging with patrons and building rapport.
  • Performed opening and closing duties including restocking supplies.
  • Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions.
  • Monitored guests' alcohol consumption levels to prevent over-intoxication or underage drinking.
  • Provided drink suggestions to customers based on their preferences.
  • Assisted in setting up the bar for service shift.
  • Planned and coordinated special events to boost customer numbers and profits.
  • Attended regular training sessions to stay updated on new products or trends.

Head Bartender/Nightlife Bartender

The Hampton Social / Bassment
Chicago, IL
04.2018 - 03.2024
  • I lead the bar team to success by training the newly hired employees on drink preparation, enforcing cleanliness, keeping inventory of hundreds of items to ensure proper stock of beverages and supplies, as well as placing and accepting orders of $20,000 or more on a weekly basis. Most importantly, I ensure that my team is making the guests' experience exceptional, all while ensuring that the work environment is comfortable and inviting.
  • Accountable for cash, debit, and credit transactions. And preparing organized receipts, as well as securing money for cash outs ranging from an average of $500 to $5,000.
  • Deliver exceptional bar service for special events, such as weddings, business conferences, and society receptions.
  • Up-sell customers from regular to premium items to help boost sales.
  • Implement new cocktails using fresh ingredients to drive customer interest and sales numbers.
  • Manage a high volume of customers, and simultaneously assist restaurant servers with diverse needs.
  • Enhance sales and profit through improved management approaches, and enhance employee training on sales techniques.
  • Handled complaints and disputes from customers to promote customer satisfaction.
  • I bartended at the nightlife venue of the company as well. A very fast-paced and demanding live music venue with craft cocktails and bottle service. Drove sells while ensuring that mixed drinks, cocktails, shots, and everything in between come out efficiently and correctly.

Head Server /Bartender

Uncle Julios
Lombard, IL
05.2014 - 05.2018
  • Responsible for maintaining a consistent and exceptional level of customer service throughout the guest experience in a fast pace environment, as well as resolving any issues the guest may have throughout their stay.
  • Reconciled cash, debit and credit transactions and prepared organized receipts, as well as secured money for cash outs from every server ranging from an average of $500-$5000.
  • Trained new servers on menu items and restaurant standards.
  • Completed opening and closing checklists to facilitate smooth restaurant operations.
  • Served high volume of tables at once and simultaneously supervised serving staff.
  • Expedited food items.

Manager

Chicago Zoological Society
Brookfield , IL
05.2010 - 08.2016
  • Upheld company's high standards for business via leading by example and encouraging team members to adhere to corporate policies.
  • Promoted to Manager at the age of 18.
  • Held key to work area.
  • Oversaw 3 restaurants and 5 refreshment carts simultaneously.
  • Made and accepted cash drops and deposits daily, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.
  • Scheduled employees as well as placed them in work areas daily where they would excell
  • Assigned tasks to crew members to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
  • Monitored supplier operations to verify quality, delivery schedule and conformance to contract specifications.
  • Oversaw creation of Starbucks products. And trained new employees how to create these products to be uniform and satisfactory.
  • Balanced crew member's registers at shift close and prepared money for daily cash drops.
  • Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.

Education

Mass Communication

University of Southern Illinois
Edwardsville, IL

Skills

  • Basset Certified
  • Certified Food Handler
  • Licensed in Sanitation
  • Anticipating guest needs
  • Working fast & efficiently
  • Maintaining glassware stock
  • Extensive spirits, wine and beer knowledge
  • Suggestive selling
  • Outgoing Personality
  • Outstanding customer service & service oriented mindset
  • Health codes compliance
  • Cash and credit transactions
  • Cash register operation
  • Issue and conflict resolution
  • Leadership
  • Training & Development
  • Teambuilding
  • Work ethic
  • Ability to work standing for 8-12 hour shifts
  • Event coordination
  • Alcohol awareness

Timeline

Club Bartender

Soho House Chicago
04.2022 - Current

Head Bartender/Nightlife Bartender

The Hampton Social / Bassment
04.2018 - 03.2024

Head Server /Bartender

Uncle Julios
05.2014 - 05.2018

Manager

Chicago Zoological Society
05.2010 - 08.2016

Mass Communication

University of Southern Illinois

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Michael Hotchkiss