Ricardo Castor
Miami Beach,FL
Summary
A talented professional trained in mixology and recognized for innovative drink creations. Experienced overseeing complex server waitstaff, food delivery and customer support operations. Creative and artistic team player with updated knowledge of menu items. Excels in fast-paced foodservice environments and maintains a positive attitude and unwavering commitment to customer service.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Server
Hilton
Miami Beach, FL
02.2014 - 02.2015
- Educated guests on daily specials and appetizers, entrees, desserts and other menu items.
- Operated POS terminals to input orders, split bills and calculate totals.
- Provided exceptional service to 100 customers per day at establishment.
- Upsold customers and optimized table-turns to outperform average sales by 10%.
- Enforced minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages by checking identification.
- Greeted customers, answered questions and recommended specials, wine and desserts to increase profits.
- Explained menu options to guests, offered suggestions and took orders for food and beverages.
- Checked on guests to verify satisfaction with meals and suggested additional items to increase restaurant sales.
- Confirmed customers' ages for alcohol service and discontinued service to intoxicated guests.
Head Barback
Sweet Liberty
Miami Beach, FL
12.2016 - 12.2018
- Restocked condiments and drink station supplies to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Made product recommendations to customers based on preference, food pairings and special promotions.
- Replenished bar glasses, garnishes and condiments.
- Studied bartenders to learn recipes for different mixed cocktails.
- Greeted guests with friendliness and professionalism.
- Maintained knowledge of menu items, garnishes, ingredients and preparation methods to assist guests with menu selection.
- Created an easy strategy for a smooth and successful operation
Bartender
Vista
Miami, FL
08.2018 - 02.2021
- Made product recommendations to customers based on preference, food pairings and special promotions.
- Prepared and served over 100 drinks per shift in high-volume environment.
- Advertised, marketed and recommended drink options to guests to increase guest satisfaction.
- Reinvented classic cocktails to complement new menu options.
- Supported servers by preparing specialty drinks for patrons in all areas of establishment.
- Confirmed customers' ages for alcohol service and discontinued service to intoxicated guests.
- Created list of signature beverage items to increase overall revenue and patron loyalty.
Bartender
Mila
Miami Beach, FL
12.2019 - 03.2020
- Prepared and served over 250 drinks per shift in high-volume environment.
- Made product recommendations to customers based on preference, food pairings and special promotions.
- Designed and implemented new cocktails to drive customer interest and sales numbers.
- Confirmed customers' ages for alcohol service and discontinued service to intoxicated guests.
- Supported servers by preparing specialty drinks for patrons in all areas of establishment.
Bartender
Mia Market food hall
Miami, Florida
02.2021 - 03.2024
- Mixed and served both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for patrons by following standard recipes and procedures.
- Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions.
- Checked identification of guests to verify age requirements for alcohol purchase.
- Maintained knowledge of bar and menu options to prepare drinks and make food recommendations.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing intoxication and handling intoxicated guests.
- Poured wine, beer and cocktails for patrons.
- Recommended food and drinks to patrons based on preference, pairings and special promotions.
- Balanced daily registers and generated sales reports for management.
- Upsold customers from shelf to premium brands to help boost sales.
- Kept track of bar tabs and transferred open tabs to dining area for wait staff.
- Displayed and retained extensive knowledge of liquors, wines and entrees.
- Stayed up-to-date on latest mixology trends, bar equipment and sanitation standards.
- Planned and coordinated special events to boost customer numbers and profits.
- Introduced bar staff to precision pouring and waste reduction tactics to lower liquor costs.
FOH Manager
Lakou
Miami, Florida
11.2024 - 06.2026
- Managed daily front-of-house operations and ensured smooth service flow.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly and effectively to enhance satisfaction.
- Monitored inventory levels and ordered supplies as needed for efficiency.
- Managed all aspects of cash handling processes including deposits, withdrawals, change orders and reconciliations.
- Conducted regular inventory checks and placed orders for additional supplies as needed.
- Provided guidance and support to FOH personnel when dealing with difficult customers or situations.
- Trained new staff on proper customer service techniques, policies and procedures.
- Monitored employee performance to ensure compliance with company standards.
- Encouraged team collaboration among front-of-house employees in order to create an enjoyable work environment.
- Organized special events such as promotional activities, holiday parties.
- Handled guest complaints quickly to maintain positive dining experience for patrons.
- Controlled and maintained labor costs through careful scheduling.
- Maximized profit and revenue through upselling and cross-selling techniques.
- Trained new employees to perform duties.
Education
High School Diploma -
Holy Trinity Haiti
Haiti06.2011
Skills
- Proficient in mixology
- Suggestive selling
- Anticipating guest needs
- Extensive spirits knowledge
- Multilingual
- Extensive beer knowledge
- Marketing and sales
- Maintaining a clean bar
- Safe serving knowledge
- Outgoing personality
- Cash register operation
- Outstanding customer service
- Cash handling
- POS operations
- Inventory management
- Event coordination
- Upselling techniques
- Customer service
- Staff training
- Team collaboration
- Sales reporting
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Knowledge of mixology
- Guest relations
- Complaint handling
- Performance evaluation
- Staff management
- Restaurant operations
- Team building
- Customer service delivery
- Promotional events
- Hiring
- Floor management
- Service recovery
- Staff supervision
- Customer feedback analysis
- Kitchen staff coordination
- Reliability
Certification
- Certified bartender, Barsmart - 2018
Timeline
FOH Manager
Lakou
11.2024 - 06.2026
Bartender
Mia Market food hall
02.2021 - 03.2024
Bartender
Mila
12.2019 - 03.2020
Bartender
Vista
08.2018 - 02.2021
Head Barback
Sweet Liberty
12.2016 - 12.2018
Server
Hilton
02.2014 - 02.2015
High School Diploma -
Holy Trinity Haiti