Petaia Kunawai
Lautoka ,Fiji
Summary
Professional hospitality expert with proven skills in mixing and serving beverages, managing bar inventory, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability, and achieving high-quality results. Skilled in providing exceptional service, handling high-pressure situations, and maintaining clean and organized workspace. Known for reliability, flexibility, and creating positive experiences for patrons.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender
Doubletree by Hilton
Sonaisali Island, Fiji
12.2024 - Current
- Crafted and served a diverse range of cocktails and beverages to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of bar area, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to coordinate food and drink pairings for special events.
- Trained and mentored new bartenders on efficient service techniques and customer engagement strategies.
- Developed innovative drink specials based on seasonal ingredients, increasing customer interest and sales.
- Managed inventory levels, ordering supplies as needed to ensure uninterrupted service flow.
- Implemented streamlined processes for drink preparation, reducing wait times during peak hours.
- Resolved customer complaints effectively, fostering positive relationships and repeat patronage.
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Reduced wait times for drinks by efficiently managing the bar area and prioritizing orders.
- Enhanced overall guest experience by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues professionally.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Maintained extensive knowledge of cocktail recipes and preparation techniques, ensuring high-quality beverage menu.
Bartender
Crowne Plaza Fiji
Nadi Bay Resort
11.2023 - 11.2025
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Educated customers on drink options, making personalized recommendations based on preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Supported special events through attentive service, adapting quickly to varying needs of guests or clients.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, routinely checking and documenting bar cleanliness and equipment functionality.
- Trained new staff on bar procedures, cocktail recipes, and customer service standards, ensuring consistent service quality.
- Enhanced customer experience with engaging conversations and personalized drink recommendations.
- Contributed to event success, planning beverage menus and efficiently serving large groups.
- Resolved customer complaints with empathy and professionalism, turning potentially negative experiences into positive ones.
- Facilitated smooth workflow, coordinating with kitchen and floor staff to expedite orders.
- Enhanced dining experience, suggesting food and drink pairings that complemented menu offerings.
- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat customers, engaging in friendly conversation and memorizing drink orders to promote loyalty.
- Regularly cleaned and sanitized bar area, beer lockers, refrigeration and storage areas.
- Kept bar stocked with liquors, juices and garnishes for drinks.
- Upheld strict regulations for safe alcohol service and food safety.
- Used extensive knowledge of beer, wine and spirits to make informed recommendations to customers.
- Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines, and mixers.
- Prepared custom drink orders by accurately measuring and mixing house ingredients.
- Mixed unique and interesting cocktails for customers, including bar specials.
- Prepared garnishes by evenly slicing and pitting fruits.
- Tracked bar stock levels and promptly replenished low materials to prevent shortages.
- Applied knowledge to create innovative cocktails, enhance flavor profiles and expertly pair food and drinks.
Bartender
Sheraton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa
Denarau Island
09.2021 - 10.2023
- Assisted with staff training, sharing expertise in bartending techniques and customer service best practices.
- Increased repeat customer numbers, creating welcoming atmosphere and remembering regulars' favorite drinks.
- Streamlined bar operations by maintaining clean and organized work area, ensuring efficient service.
- Developed loyal clientele by engaging in friendly conversations and providing exceptional service.
- Fostered culture of teamwork, collaborating with colleagues to ensure smooth operation during high-traffic periods.
- Managed inventory to prevent shortages, conducting weekly stock checks and placing timely orders.
- Assisted with inventorying beverage stock and bar supplies.
- Helped management plan and serve bar menu exceeding customer expectations.
- Created attractive bar displays by strategically arranging bottles and glasses.
- Crafted and served a diverse range of cocktails and beverages to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of bar area, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to coordinate food and drink pairings for special events.
- Managed inventory levels, ordering supplies as needed to ensure uninterrupted service flow.
- Implemented streamlined processes for drink preparation, reducing wait times during peak hours.
- Resolved customer complaints effectively, fostering positive relationships and repeat patronage.
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
Bar Waiter
Boatshed Restaurant and Bar
Vuda
01.2017 - 10.2021
- Provided attentive service to guests, ensuring prompt order taking and delivery.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to coordinate food and beverage orders efficiently.
- Maintained cleanliness of dining area, adhering to health and safety standards.
- Trained new waitstaff on menu offerings and service protocols for optimal performance.
- Enhanced guest experience by offering personalized recommendations based on preferences.
- Streamlined workflow by implementing effective communication with bar and kitchen teams.
- Led team in resolving customer complaints, resulting in improved satisfaction rates.
- Maintained clean and organized bar area.
- Served alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in bar environment.
- Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues promptly to preserve guest satisfaction.
- Performed opening and closing duties efficiently, ensuring the bar was ready for operation each day or safely secured after closing time.
- Poured and prepared mixed drinks for over 300 customers daily.
- Anticipated guest needs and provided proactive service.
- Maintained a clean and organized work environment to ensure efficient service and compliance with health regulations.
Restaurant Waiter
Tanoa Waterfront Hotel
Lautoka
02.2010 - 12.2016
- Delivered exceptional customer service by anticipating guest needs and providing personalized dining experiences.
- Trained and mentored junior staff on menu knowledge and efficient service techniques.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to ensure timely food preparation and quality standards were met.
- Implemented suggestions for improving workflow efficiency, resulting in faster table turnover rates.
- Managed multiple tables simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy in orders.
- Resolved guest concerns promptly, enhancing overall customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas for optimal guest experience.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Quickly reset and cleaned up tables after customers left to enable speedy turnaround and guest flow.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Supported fellow waitstaff through teamwork during busy times, sharing responsibilities as needed.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely delivery of orders, resulting in positive feedback from guests.
- Maintained professional demeanor under pressure while managing challenging situations involving dissatisfied customers.
- Balanced excellent customer service with efficient task completion by multitasking effectively throughout each shift.
- Managed multiple tables simultaneously while maintaining high levels of accuracy on order placement and delivery.
- Addressed guest concerns promptly and professionally, fostering a positive dining atmosphere.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Utilized time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively during busy shifts, ensuring prompt attention to all guests'' needs.
- Contributed positively to the overall workplace culture through proactive communication, problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing attentive service and anticipating guest needs.
Education
Certificate 111 In Hospitality - Food And Beverage
Australia Pacific Training Coalition
Suva 12.2019
Certificate Exceptional Customer Services 1 & 2 - Customer Service
Tanoa Waterfront Hotel
Lautoka 12.2012
Certificate Completion Food & Beverage, Housekeepi - Food & Beverage And Housekeeping
Service Pro Training Centre
Suva12.2011
High School Diploma - Geography And History
Sigatoka Methodist College
Sigatoka 12.2004
Fiji Eighth Year Examination -
Naqalimare District School
Sigatoka12.1999
Skills
- Goal Oriented/ Innovated
- Hard Worker
- Keen and Fast Learner
- Team Player
- Honest/ Reliable
- Communication/ Social Skills
- Food & Beverage Services
- Customer service
- Strong multitasking
- Highly reliable
- Team player attitude
- Clear and effective communication
- Customer service expertise
- Cleanliness and hygiene
- Complex Problem-solving
- Responsible alcohol service
- Handling difficult customers
- Alcohol awareness
- Food service
- Beverage preparation
- Inventory
- Drink preparation techniques
- Classic cocktails
- Garnishing drinks
PERSONAL DETAILS
English
Native or Bilingual
Fijian
Native or Bilingual
Hobbies and Interests
Customer Service, Socializing, Volunteer Work
Timeline
Bartender
Doubletree by Hilton
12.2024 - Current
Bartender
Crowne Plaza Fiji
11.2023 - 11.2025
Bartender
Sheraton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa
09.2021 - 10.2023
Bar Waiter
Boatshed Restaurant and Bar
01.2017 - 10.2021
Restaurant Waiter
Tanoa Waterfront Hotel
02.2010 - 12.2016
Certificate 111 In Hospitality - Food And Beverage
Australia Pacific Training Coalition
Certificate Exceptional Customer Services 1 & 2 - Customer Service
Tanoa Waterfront Hotel
Certificate Completion Food & Beverage, Housekeepi - Food & Beverage And Housekeeping
Service Pro Training Centre
High School Diploma - Geography And History
Sigatoka Methodist College
Fiji Eighth Year Examination -
Naqalimare District School