Raquel Mendes
Artesia,CA
Summary
Flexible and hardworking Guest Services professional with a true passion for the restaurant industry and amazing food. Strong leadership, planning and problem-solving abilities. Optimizes processes and procedures to maximize customer satisfaction and improve resolution efficiency.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Food Service Manager
Cypress Elementary School District
04.2019 - Current
- Prepare weekly schedules and assigned tasks to staff to maintain organized shift and smooth operations.
- Reconcile financial transactions to maintain accurate records.
- Developed, implemented, and managed business plans to promote food sales.
- Maximize quality assurance by completing frequent line checks.
- Collaborate with Child Nutrition Director, Board of Trustees and other department heads to roll out new and improved scratch menu items.
- Manage high volume staff and district catering events.
- Responsible for operations of multi-unit cafeterias.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
- Oversaw training of more than 16 team members.
- Trained and supervised new staff to enhance customer service skills and comply with food safety standards.
Restaurant Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
11.2016 - 11.2017
- Tracked daily sales transactions and invoices for accurate and updated financial reporting.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Oversaw front of house personnel to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime.
- Inspected equipment and machinery for proper working condition and directed staff to clean and repair as needed.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust purchasing decisions accordingly.
- Conducted health, safety, and sanitation process evaluations to identify and remedy any violations immediately.
Catering Sales Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Developed effective marketing and sales plans for hotel social market segment.
- Solicited new and existing accounts to meet and exceed revenue goals through telephone and outside sales calls.
- Organized corporate meetings, special events and social occasions to satisfy client requirements and increase facility revenues.
- Maximized revenue by selling all facets of hotel.
- Customized menus according to client needs.
- Promoted hotel through participation in community and chamber events.
- Skillfully interacted with external vendors to obtain best quality in pricing and product.
Catering And Event Manager
St. Joseph Hospital
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Generated $450,000 ($1.35 million) in at cost sales annually.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Oversaw front of house personnel to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime.
- Planned all aspects of hospital events including menu development, costing and purchasing.
- Maintained safe working and guest environment to reduce risk of injury and accidents.
Catering And Event Sales Manager
The Catch
01.2002 - 01.2008
- Contacted previous guests and potential clients via email with information on events and menu promotions.
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships.
- Promptly responded to guest inquiries and concerns to maximize guest satisfaction.
- Engaged in local community events, chamber of commerce gatherings and convention center conferences to maintain strong business relationships.
- Collaborated with clients to confirm event details such as setup logistics, decorations and food and beverage selections to fulfill guest requests.
- Interacted positively with clients while promoting restaurant facilities and services.
- Increased catering sales by 30% within first year as Catering sales manager by implementing new marketing strategies.
- Purchased adequate quantities of necessary equipment and supplies for each event.
- Utilized knowledge of customer experience to create specialized plans for customer retention.
- Created seasonal catering menu and event packages.
- Organized corporate meetings, special events and social occasions to satisfy client requirements and increase facility revenues.
Education
Associate of Arts - Merchandising
Brooks College
Long Beach, CA1997
General Education - General
Cerritos College
2003
Skills
- Passion for exceptional guest service
- Genuine love of amazing food and a good laugh
- Customer rapport
- Guest complaint resolution
- Relationship building
- Team building
- Catering and event planning
- Sales forecasting
- Supervisory skills
- Reliable and responsible
- ServSafe food manager
- Menu development
- Attention to detail
- Restaurant operations
Languages
- Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish
Accomplishments
- Supervised teams of up to 50 staff members.
- Collaborated with team of 25 colleagues in the development of new catering ordering procedures using Caterease.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Earned "Employee of the Year" Award in 2011.
- Resolved product issue through consumer testing.
Timeline
Food Service Manager
Cypress Elementary School District
04.2019 - Current
Restaurant Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
11.2016 - 11.2017
Catering Sales Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton
01.2012 - 01.2014
Catering And Event Manager
St. Joseph Hospital
01.2008 - 01.2012
Catering And Event Sales Manager
The Catch
01.2002 - 01.2008
Associate of Arts - Merchandising
Brooks College
General Education - General
Cerritos College
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