Racquel Kowal
Hospitality
Wadsworth,OH
Summary
A seasoned Server turned Assistant Manager turned General Manager a talented leader with 5 1/2 years' experience as general manager, applying exceptional planning and problem-solving abilities toward enhancing business plans and day-to-day activities.20 years of hospitality and customer service experience Driven and resilient in developing teams while improving processes and improving the overall business. Bringing solid understanding of industry trends, excellent communication skills, talent for spotting areas in need of improvement and implementing changes with strategic approach.
Successful background matching employees with roles for maximum performance. Very hardworking individual, Self-starter that's a fast learning and does what it takes to get the job done, well organized, attentive to detail and vigilant in achieving the most efficient and organized way to get the job done.4 consistent years of experience in bookkeeping, payroll. Motivational and inspiring team leader with expertise in customer relationships & service, and inventory control. Very resourceful and great problem solver.
Overview
10
10
Hospitality Experience (10+yrs)
5
5
General Manager
Work History
General Manager - Event & Banquet Coordinator
Trattoria Vaccaros Italian Kitchen & Bar
Akron , OH
2016.12 - Current
- Oversee service daily, make floor plans, review all special occasions, print and execute service requests. Establishment hold upwards of 125 people at once.
- Oversee Carry out/ retail department daily. Managed 25+ calls/orders per day.
- Handle all coordination in front of house with putting systems in place and great organization skills.
- Book Rehearsal dinners, bridal showers. baby showers, birthdays etc. regularly.
- Developed relationships with local wine/beer suppliers to obtain great quality, good price and delivery of products. Handle all wine and beer ordering and inventory control
- Developed long-term business needs by delivering feedback to owner directly to make necessary improvements.
- Monitored and documented employee hours.
- Execute payroll for entire staff.
- Handle all recruiting/interviewing & hiring of FOH Staff.
- Worked with QuickBooks for invoice input and paid checks.
- Develop consistent and genuine relationships with customers.
- Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs.
- Very computer efficient, work well with all computer work.
- I have done online marketing and computer programs for special promotions and pricing.
- I work with online program Ecwid for online food ordering.
- I have work with the programs such as Adobe stock and InDesign to develop/modify and execute restaurant menus & special event menus, such as Rehearsal dinners.
- Wrote Job Descriptions for front of house staff.
- Worked in Kitchen to help with food related tasks mostly prepping for caterings.
- Booked, scheduled, staffed and executed all in house events
- Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
- Managed event schedules and operations.
- Perform event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement-
- Planned & executed large-scale events such as Wedding Receptions - Rehearsal Dinners - Birthdays Pharmaceutical Events (on - site & off-site)Interview clients for all INHOUSE events to understand the clients expectations, establish budgets discuss/decide menus and determine timelines for specific events, guest list confirmation.
- Organized, coordinated and deployed Special events while focusing on delivering superior customer service.
- Selected and ordered décor and event materials.
- Fulfilled contractual obligations for rehearsal and day of event coordination.
- Full leadership by executing items or activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing.
- Received feedback from clients to assess event success and uncover opportunities for improvement.
- Executed by accurately coordinating and managing customer itineraries.
- Scheduled/Recruited Supervised onsite team of caterers
- Coordinated weddings, reunions, birthdays, online company promotions, and corporate meetings throughout banquet spaces.
- Worked closely with couples to meet rehearsal dinner deadlines and resolve complaints or service issues.
- Fostered relationships with local wine/beer suppliers to obtain best price, quality, and delivery of products .
- Developed long-term business needs by delivering feed back to the owner directly to make necessary improvements .
- Monitored and documented employee hours
- Excuted Payroll for entire staff
- Worked with QuickBooks for invoice input and paid checks.
- Enhanced client satisfaction ratings by scheduling on-site service requests, and managing service.
- Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs.
- Operated cash register for cash, check and credit card transactions with excellent accuracy levels.
- Helped customers complete purchases, locate items and join reward programs.
- Promoted customer loyalty and consistent sales by delivering friendly service and knowledgeable assistance.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
- Collected and authorized payments of guests.
- Worked closely with owner & all staff to solve problems and handle customer concerns.
- Maintained secure cash drawers, promptly resolving discrepancies in daily totals.
- Replenished sales floor merchandise and organized shelves, racks and bins for optimal appearance.
- Reconciled cash drawer at start and end of each shift, accounting for err] or more per shift.
- Trained, coached and mentored staff to support smooth adoption AHOLA POS program.
- Did all changes and any new programming on AHOLA POS system.
- Did all changes and new programming on OPENTABLE, our online reservation system.
Lunch & Dinner Server
Thyme 2
Medina , OH
2022.03 - 2022.06
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies for maximum productivity.
- Used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve customer complaints and promote long-term loyalty.
- Greeted new customers, discussed specials and took drink orders.
- Kept server areas clean and stocked to increase efficiency while working tables.
- Stayed up to date on menu changes to help customers make food choices.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing and cash management practices.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays and delivery bags.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
Server
Santosoussos Pizza Pasta & Vino
Medina , OH
2014.03 - 2016.05
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays and delivery bags.
- Replenished food items, paper products and canned goods to keep pantry well-stocked.
- Checked identification for minimum age for sale of alcoholic beverages.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Noted special patron requests and followed up with kitchen to confirm delivery.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items and recorded order information.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate server report.
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Collected orders and relayed them to bartenders quickly and accurately.
- Moved and set up seating, prepared extra silverware and prepared prior to arrival of large groups.
- Mixed both standard and specialized drink orders using liquor, bitters, sugars and fruits
Education
Associate of Arts - Medical Business Clinical Specialist
07.2004
- Dean's List 2004
- Honor Roll 2004
- 4.0 GPA
Skills
- Daily management of establishment that seats upward of 125 people.
- Menu Pricing and Writing
- POS Inventory System Operation/POS Terminal Operations
- Delegating Assignments and Tasks
- Personnel Scheduling
Front of House Management
- Inventory Tracking and Management
- Money Handling
- Banquet Event Orders (BEOs)
- Banquet Coordination (Event Booking/Planning & Executing)
- Labor and Overhead Cost Estimation
- Payroll Preparation
Computer Programs/Applications
Ahola POS - OpenTable Guest Center - Excel - Word - Squarespace - Ecwid Commerce - Quickbooks - Social Media work - Microsoft teams -Google Suite
Professional References
Kevin & Liesha Dickey
#330-687-8787 - kljlfamily@msn.com
Regular customers at mt work, I have done offsite catering events at their home, I also take very good care of them when they dine at Vaccaro's. Kit & Katie Arn
#330-265-7887 - arnkit@aol.com
Owner of Robeks in Akron. They are also regulars at Vaccaro's, I have done private parties for them and give them special treatment when the dine in.
Erin Dickey
#330-883-8997 - ewalt7@msn.com
Owner of Outta the Box Boutique. Regular at Vaccaro's I have done private events for her, and I also see to it that the server gives them exceptional service. I did her company event that was over 50 people and did an online event for the first time. So it included guests she invited via invitation the rest attended over facebook live.
Timeline
Lunch & Dinner Server - Thyme 2
2022.03 - 2022.06
General Manager - Event & Banquet Coordinator - Trattoria Vaccaros Italian Kitchen & Bar
2016.12 - Current
Server - Santosoussos Pizza Pasta & Vino
2014.03 - 2016.05
National Institute of Technology - Associate of Arts, Medical Business Clinical Specialist
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