PAUL J. COX
Houston,TX
Summary
Accomplished Food and Beverage Leader who works to consistently provide outstanding patron experiences through culture, high-end service standards, and fantastic products. Well-versed in providing a memorable dining experience to patrons utilizing a deep knowledge of the luxury food and wine industry-expert in promoting patron loyalty. Orchestrate and lead smart operations utilizing food/beverage expertise within luxury and prestigious locations including the Four Seasons and Orange County's premiere Studio at the Montage in Laguna Beach-a 5-star hotel, spa, and restaurant resort. Collaborate with and worked alongside some of the greatest "wine and culinary minds" in the world. Instrumental in updating Doris Metropolitan's wine program that boosts sales of wines. Strong understanding of fine dining and beverage operations, working in Forbes 5-star and Michelin 3-star organizations-delivering fine-dining service excellence, fine wines, and world-class cuisine.
Experienced with overseeing complex operational functions and implementing process enhancements. Utilizes leadership skills to drive team collaboration and meet organizational benchmarks. Knowledge of strategic planning and resource management for optimal operational performance.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager / Captain / Sommelier
Doris Metropolitan
06.2022 - Current
- Brought in to turn around the food and beverage business into a streamlined sales growth operation
- Charged with the sales of high-end wine products-updating and upgrading the entire wine program
- Managing $280K+ inventory comprising of 680+ SKUs
- Procured wine sales of $850K annually with COGS at 30%
- Instrumental in growing sales by offering private party promotions within the area's pharmaceutical and medical industries
- OPERATIONS & STAFF LEADERSHIP: Assembled and led top-tier teams focused on world-class service delivery to patrons as the Service Captain
- INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: Provided key input into inventory and wine selections-easily communicated with patrons on wine selections and individual high-end wine products
- RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: Built key relationships with clients-promoted repeat customers and referrals-with direct patron contact regarding expertise in current inventory or special orders
- EXPLOSIVE SALES GROWTH: Drove wine sales to first-ever stratospheric heights utilizing product expertise and unheard-of success in working with the floor utilizing an extensive spirits list and taking the effort to stock and inventory products-some valued individually up to $9k
- FOOD/BEVERAGE LEADERSHIP: Employ gourmet industry food/beverage expertise with luxury-driving a customer experience that promotes high-end repeat business
PM Bartender
Toro Toro / Four Seasons
04.2020 - 06.2020
- Optimized operations and increased sales
- Conducted detailed project reviews to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes for future success.
Sommelier
Andrea/Resort at Pelican Hill
11.2017 - 04.2020
- Provided an excellent dining experience for all guests of the resort-focused on wine/spirit sales that complemented authentic Italian cuisine
- FORBES 5-STAR EXPERIENCE: Delivered a patron dining experience and assisted in guest selections from a list of fine wines and labels-promoting a memorable experience that promoted patron loyalty
Captain / Fine Dining Supervisor
Studio at The Montage
05.2015 - 11.2017
- Leveraged an excellent food and dining experience before being promoted to Fine Dining Supervisor of the luxurious 5-star restaurant located in Orange County, CA
- STAFF/OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP: Assisted management with 20+ top-performing servers, bartenders, and crew supervisors as well as promoted weekly training sessions
- F&B SALES LEADERSHIP: Consistently one of the top producers in F&B salesmanship that continued to increase bottom-line results
Captain
Mandalay Bay Resort Casino/Mix - Group Alain Ducasse
11.2004 - 06.2015
- Managed food and beverage inventory and procurement-demonstrated expertise in presenting high-end cuisine and wine options and recommendations
- WINE TASTING/SITE VISITS: Specialized in private wine tasting and site visits for guests as well as managed productivity and performance of wait/bussing staff
Captain
Mandalay Bay Resort Casino/Aureole - Chef Charlie Palmer
08.2003 - 07.2004
- Planned and executed all event orders-from properly scheduling servers, bartenders, and the houseman to coordinating with catering managers, kitchens, stewarding, and engineers
- INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: Ordered all supplies necessary-ensuring guests' requests were handled promptly
Captain
Rio Casino / Napa - Chef Jean-Louis Palladin
10.1998 - 07.2003
- TOP REVENUE PRODUCER: Acknowledged as the Top Revenue Producer in this world-renowned destination gourmet room-Wine Spectator rated #1 Restaurant in Las Vegas, fall of 2000
Sommelier
Bix's
05.1998 - 10.1998
- PROGRAM MANAGER: Managed the entire wine and beverage program and was a key contributor to In Style Magazine's top mention in best new restaurants in the summer of 1998
Captain
Four Seasons Resorts
12.1994 - 05.1998
- OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP: Delegated to head Captain in Seasons Dining Room, Wailea, Maui Property
- AWARD-WINNING LEADERSHIP: Contributed to the room acquiring the AAA Five Diamond Award
- NEW OPERATIONS STARTUP: Transferred from HI to CA to open Carlesbad, Aviara Property
Education
BBA - Business Administration
York University
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaCertified Sommelier -
Court Of Master Sommeliers
London, EnglandWSET Level II -
WIne And Spirit Education Trust
London, EnglandSkills
- Build Patron Relationships & Loyalty
- Promote Private Parties with Key Industries
- Trained Staff as Service Captain/Sommelier
- Comfortable Speaking on Luxury Wine List
- Forbes 5-star & Michelin 3-star Experience
- Advisor to Leadership on Current/Future Trends
- High-end Product Inventory Management
- Assemble, Train, & Lead Top-Tier Teams
Summary
Accomplished Food and Beverage Leader who works to consistently provide outstanding patron experiences through culture, high-end service standards, and fantastic products., Well-versed in providing a memorable dining experience to patrons utilizing a deep knowledge of the luxury food and wine industry-expert in promoting patron loyalty., Orchestrate and lead smart operations utilizing food/beverage expertise within luxury and prestigious locations including the Four Seasons and Orange County's premiere Studio at the Montage in Laguna Beach-a 5-star hotel, spa, and restaurant resort., Collaborate with and worked alongside some of the greatest 'wine and culinary minds' in the world. Instrumental in updating Doris Metropolitian's wine program that boosts sales of wines into the stratosphere!, Strong understanding of fine dining and beverage operations, working in Forbes 5-star and Michelin 3-star organizations-delivering fine-dining service excellence, fine wines, and world-class cuisine., Build Patron Relationships & Loyalty, Promote Private Parties with Key Industries, Trained Staff as Service Captain/Sommelier, Comfortable Speaking on Luxury Wine List, Forbes 5-star & Michelin 3-star Experience, Advisor to Leadership on Current/Future Trends, High-end Product Inventory Management, Assemble, Train, & Lead Top-Tier Teams
Timeline
Operations Manager / Captain / Sommelier
Doris Metropolitan
06.2022 - Current
PM Bartender
Toro Toro / Four Seasons
04.2020 - 06.2020
Sommelier
Andrea/Resort at Pelican Hill
11.2017 - 04.2020
Captain / Fine Dining Supervisor
Studio at The Montage
05.2015 - 11.2017
Captain
Mandalay Bay Resort Casino/Mix - Group Alain Ducasse
11.2004 - 06.2015
Captain
Mandalay Bay Resort Casino/Aureole - Chef Charlie Palmer
08.2003 - 07.2004
Captain
Rio Casino / Napa - Chef Jean-Louis Palladin
10.1998 - 07.2003
Sommelier
Bix's
05.1998 - 10.1998
Captain
Four Seasons Resorts
12.1994 - 05.1998
BBA - Business Administration
York University
Certified Sommelier -
Court Of Master Sommeliers
WSET Level II -
WIne And Spirit Education Trust
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