Regina Curran Lester

Owned and operated The Dorrance, a 350 person restaurant and special event space, located in downtown Providence, RI for 10 years. In addition to running the day to day operation of the restaurant, I also led the execution of any and all scheduled private events. This included coordinating the menus, beverages, set up and break down and extensive guest interaction. We were known for hosting luxurious and detail driven weddings along with all types of private events. I personally worked closely with the kitchen on the design of each menu to ensure customer's were satisfied and expectations were exceeded. My experience also included working tirelessly to improve steps of service to create the ultimate guest experience.

• Established a positive workplace culture that fostered employee engagement, collaboration, and loyalty.
• Hired trained, and managed a high-performing team of employees dedicated to achieving company goals.
• Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
• Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.

I was in charge of overseeing each and every private event which took place including scheduling staff, overseeing the set up and breakdown of the space, working closely with outside vendors as well as the bar staff and kitchen coordinating the food service, extensive customer interaction and relations, all monetary transactions, including reconciliation of drawer and deposits.

• Maintained a clean and orderly dining area for an enjoyable guest experience.
• Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
• Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
• Addressed customer complaints or concerns professionally, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining positive relationships.
• Consistently met or exceeded performance goals related to sales targets, customer satisfaction ratings, and order accuracy.
• Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
• Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
• Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.