Nicholas Cassotta
New Hartford,CT
Summary
Detail-focused Barista with 10 years in fast-paced, team oriented coffee shop. Skilled at placing and making customized orders, creating attractive product displays and contributing to a safe and welcoming environment. Extensive knowledge of coffee brewing procedures, and customer service...
Overview
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Manager
Rebel Dog Coffee Co.
Plainville, CT
02.2026 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations ensuring smooth service and customer satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices in customer engagement and product knowledge.
- Implemented inventory management strategies to minimize waste and optimize supply chain efficiency.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with suppliers to enhance product offerings.
- Oversaw daily restaurant operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Managed staff schedules, optimizing labor costs and improving service efficiency.
- Analyzed customer feedback to implement menu changes, increasing overall guest satisfaction.
- Implemented inventory management systems that reduced waste and improved stock accuracy.
- Managed daily operations to ensure a high level of efficiency, consistency, and quality in both food and service.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate supplies.
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
Coffee Shop Manager
Rebel Dog Coffee Co.
Plainville, CT
08.2024 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations to ensure high-quality service and product consistency.
- Trained and mentored staff on customer service excellence and coffee preparation techniques.
- Implemented inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and reduce waste.
- Developed promotional strategies to enhance customer engagement and boost sales revenue.
Barista
Story and Soil
Hartford, CT
10.2023 - 08.2024
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace for optimal productivity and safety.
- Promoted a welcoming atmosphere by greeting customers with a friendly demeanor and promptly addressing their needs.
- Developed strong relationships with regular customers, fostering loyalty through personalized attention and product recommendations.
- Managed cash registers accurately, ensuring proper handling of cash transactions and end-of-day reconciliations.
- Memorized ingredients and recipes for wide variety specialty drinks.
- Assisted in managing inventory levels, ensuring adequate stock of supplies for daily operations.
- Restocked and cleaned stations and facilities to maintain cleanly and operable standards.
- Mentored new hires, sharing knowledge and expertise to ensure their success as baristas.
- Improved overall cleanliness standards by implementing a more efficient cleaning schedule during closing shifts.
- Handled and resolved customer issues and complaints with professionalism and tact to drive customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Participated in ongoing training sessions to stay current with company policies, procedures, and product offerings.
- Provided constructive feedback on store operations to management for continuous improvement initiatives.
- Implemented creative solutions for resolving customer complaints, resulting in higher customer retention rates.
- Demonstrated versatility by mastering various roles within the coffee shop, including cashier, barista, and food preparation tasks.
Manger
Dom's Coffee
Avon CT
07.2022 - 10.2023
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
Barista
Dom's Coffee
Avon, CT
12.2019 - 07.2022
- Recommended products based on solid understanding of individual customer needs and preferences.
- Learned every menu preparation and numerous off-label drinks to meet all customer needs.
- Maintained supply levels in counter and customer areas to meet typical demands.
- Prioritized drink requests while managing interruptions.
- Pleasantly interacted with customers during hectic periods to promote fun, positive environment.
- Developed and demonstrated skillful and creative latte art to engage customers.
- Educated staff by sharing knowledge and expertise of coffees, teas and merchandise.
- Complied with standards for merchandising, stocking and storing product.
- Educated coworkers and customers about new products.
- Controlled line and crowd with quick, efficient service.
- Provided in-depth information to customers on beverage preparation and offered samples of latest brews.
- Cultivated ability to recall customers' names and address each by name.
- Cleaned counters, machines, utensils and seating areas daily.
- Engendered customer loyalty by remembering personal preferences and allergy information.
- Maintained and operated espresso machines, commercial coffee brewers, coffee pots and other equipment.
Barista
Starbucks Corp
Holyoke, MA
07.2017 - 12.2020
- Restocked display cases with attractive arrangements to promote specialty food items like bagels and muffins.
- Engendered customer loyalty by remembering personal preferences and allergy information.
- Made and served Hundreds of café beverages per day with speed, quality and consistency.
- Cultivated ability to recall customers' names and address each by name.
- Prioritized drink requests while managing interruptions.
- Maintained supply levels in counter and customer areas to meet typical demands.
- Pleasantly interacted with customers during hectic periods to promote fun, positive environment.
- Trained new team members with positive reinforcement and respectful, encouraging coaching.
- Controlled line and crowd with quick, efficient service.
Contract Employee
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA
11.2016 - 05.2017
- Explained cooking techniques to wait staff in order to support customers with food allergies or diet restrictions.
- Promoted customer satisfaction by preparing food according to standard recipes with modifications based on individual customer requirements.
- Improved operational processes to increase efficiency and ensure timely food preparation.
- Maintained clean, trash-free work spaces to maximize productivity and safety.
- Trained newly hired employees in the most effective cleaning and sanitation methods.
- Oversaw weekly inventory transactions to ensure optimal stock levels and reduced expenses.
- Reduce health risks by following safety procedures, making food and drink items as trained, maintaining cleaning schedules, restocking regularly and sanitizing equipment according to health department requirements.
- Followed the “first in, first out” rule so that food was utilized before its expiration date.
- Checked refrigerators and freezers for proper functioning and to ensure food had not spoiled.
- Prevented food spoilage by monitoring dates, rotating stock and following proper storage procedures.
- Removed spoiled food and beverages from inventory and properly disposed of items in approved receptacles.
- Used down times to prepare ingredients and restock supplies for expected busy periods.
Shift Supervisor
Starbucks Corp
Granby, CT
07.2014 - 11.2016
- Carried out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
- Evaluated employee behaviors, skills and knowledge on regular bases and provided hands-on training and mentoring to individuals with lagging skills.
- Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
- Helped store management meet standards of service and quality in daily operations.
- Prepared, calibrated and monitored production machinery to maintain optimal production levels and consistently achieve daily targets.
- Responded to and resolved customer questions and concerns.
- Completed store opening and closing procedures, including setting up registers and checking products.
- Worked with team members to improve performance and implement training updates.
- Minimized resource and time losses by addressing any employee or production issue directly and implementing timely solutions.
- Prepared and maintained inventory records.
- Emptied and maintained trashcans and outdoor dumpster area.
- Delivered quality service by creating warm and welcoming environment.
- Scanned shelves and product cases for expired stock and discarded outdated or spoiled items.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
Sandwich Artist/Cashier
Subway
Enfield, CT
09.2012 - 06.2014
- Responded to customer requests via telephone and email and effectively answered questions and inquiries.
- Trained team members to prepare sandwiches and other items according to instructions.
- Executed sandwich artistry duties with very low occurrence of errors.
- Prepared sandwiches and other menu offerings in timely manner.
- Promoted customer loyalty by efficiently handling food and service complaints.
- Cleaned food preparation areas, tools and equipment.
- Provided product information and menu item explanation to ensure consideration of dietary restrictions.
- Maintained clean, sanitized and well-organized food preparation zones to promote store efficiency.
- Processed payments and counted change to complete transactions.
- Performed all position responsibilities accurately and in timely manner.
- Counted and monitored food stock and supply levels to reorder when quantities ran low.
- Communicated menu item information and offered suggestions to promote featured products.
- Reduced customer wait times by quickly and efficiently operating customer window and sales register.
- Organized work areas to foster efficiency and model exceptional kitchen etiquette.
- Assisted guests, including offering personable greetings and taking orders.
- Performed shift change tasks each day to keep store efficient and neat.
- Checked completed orders for accuracy and bagged meals for easy carrying.
Food Service
Six Flags New England
Agawam, MA
04.2011 - 09.2012
- Promoted customer satisfaction by preparing food according to standard recipes with modifications based on individual customer requirements.
- Replenished condiments, coffee, other beverages and general supplies while maintaining cleanliness of service areas.
- Took food orders from patients and families, and explained offerings.
- Prevented food spoilage by monitoring dates, rotating stock and following proper storage procedures.
- Maintained food safety standards at all times.
- Cooked batches of food according to standard recipes.
- Maintained an atmosphere of enthusiastic customer service.
- Maintained cleanliness of dining room, lobby and service areas.
- Guided guests through menus while demonstrating thorough knowledge of food, beverages and ingredients.
- Delivered quality service by creating warm and welcoming environment.
- Cleaned walls, fans and drains in bakery coolers, display cases and work area.
- Scanned shelves and product cases for expired stock and discarded outdated or spoiled items.
- Used downtimes to prepare ingredients and restock supplies for expected busy periods.
- Maintained clean, trash-free workspaces to maximize productivity and safety.
Education
Computer Networking
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MASkills
- Friendly and outgoing
- Professional demeanor
- Highly observant
- Self motivated
- Quick learner
- Exceptional customer service
- Strong communication skills
- Highly organized
- Team Standards
- Excellent memory
- Advanced computer skills
- Good time management
Certification
- Certified Barista 1, Barista Hustle Education
Timeline
Restaurant Manager
Rebel Dog Coffee Co.
02.2026 - Current
Coffee Shop Manager
Rebel Dog Coffee Co.
08.2024 - Current
Barista
Story and Soil
10.2023 - 08.2024
Manger
Dom's Coffee
07.2022 - 10.2023
Barista
Dom's Coffee
12.2019 - 07.2022
Barista
Starbucks Corp
07.2017 - 12.2020
Contract Employee
Westfield State University
11.2016 - 05.2017
Shift Supervisor
Starbucks Corp
07.2014 - 11.2016
Sandwich Artist/Cashier
Subway
09.2012 - 06.2014
Food Service
Six Flags New England
04.2011 - 09.2012
Computer Networking
Holyoke Community College