RACHEL SHIPLEY
Picayune
Summary
Results-driven Director of Food & Beverage with 17+ years of progressive experience in luxury hospitality. Proven ability to elevate guest satisfaction, control costs, and drive revenue through operational excellence and team leadership. Adept at leading full-service hotel F&B operations including restaurants, bars, banquets, and in-room dining. While ensuring brand standard compliance and world-class guest experiences.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2006
2006
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director of Food & Beverage
Le Méridien
New Orleans
05.2023 - 09.2025
- Oversaw all F&B operations for a 410-room full-service hotel, including restaurant, bar, in-room dining, and banquets, ensuring alignment with Marriott brand standards.
- Maintained beverage costs at 18% through inventory control, vendor negotiations, and waste management.
- Directed Front and Back of House teams, improving guest satisfaction scores and reducing turnover.
- Implemented menu engineering, upselling strategies, and labor optimization to drive profitability.
Food & Beverage Operations Manager
Le Méridien
New Orleans
08.2018 - 05.2023
- Managed daily operations for multiple F&B outlets, ensuring compliance with health and brand standards.
- Controlled labor and inventory budgets, reducing costs through efficient ordering and waste reduction.
- Led and developed a team of 30+, resulting in stronger service scores and retention.
- Partnered with Executive Chef and Sales to design profitable menus and execute successful banquets.
- Increased overall F&B revenue by 15% through strategic initiatives.
Assistant Food & Beverage Manager
Le Méridien
New Orleans
08.2016 - 08.2018
- Supported daily operations across restaurant, bar, and banquet outlets, ensuring compliance with Marriott brand standards.
- Supervised and trained a team of 25+ employees, improving service delivery and operational efficiency.
- Assisted with scheduling, labor management, and inventory tracking to maintain cost controls.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to execute hotel-wide F&B initiatives and brand programs.
Bartender / Server / Room Service / Banquets
Sheraton New Orleans
New Orleans
07.2013 - 08.2016
- Delivered professional food & beverage service across in-room dining, restaurant, bar, and banquet operations, ensuring consistency with brand standards and guest satisfaction goals.
- Managed bar setup, inventory, and cash handling for large-scale events including Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
- Supported banquet operations with a strong focus on seamless event execution and guest experience.
Education
Northshore Technical College
Slidell, LASkills
- Leadership & Staff Development
- P&L Management & Cost Control
- Banquets & Catering Operations
- Beverage Program Management
- Guest Satisfaction & Service Recovery
- Vendor Negotiation & Inventory Control
- Brand Standards Compliance
- Labor Scheduling & Retention Strategies
Personal Information
Title: Director of Food & Beverage
Leadership And Recognition
- Marriott Next Gen Business Council – Mentorship, networking, and leadership development program.
- Marriott Advocate Program – Selected as one of 13 global advocates, attending Marriott HQ conference to improve program initiatives.
- Recognized for adaptability and cross-departmental collaboration to support seamless hotel operations.
Timeline
Director of Food & Beverage
Le Méridien
05.2023 - 09.2025
Food & Beverage Operations Manager
Le Méridien
08.2018 - 05.2023
Assistant Food & Beverage Manager
Le Méridien
08.2016 - 08.2018
Bartender / Server / Room Service / Banquets
Sheraton New Orleans
07.2013 - 08.2016
Northshore Technical College