Ruben Estrada
Round Lake,IL
Summary
Experienced Professional Bartender and Restaurant General Manager seeking new opportunities within the hospitality industry. Known for delivering the highest quality of service and professionalism to all guests. Consistently strives to create a memorable and enjoyable experience. Passionate about bringing innovation and creativity to cocktail and wine menus, leveraging expertise as a certified Level 1 Sommelier to offer valuable insights on wine selections and perfect pairings for any menu.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Server / Manager Keyholder
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
03.2024 - Current
- Welcomed and greeted guests before presenting special menu items to clients.
- Cultivated guest satisfaction and loyalty through consistent commitment to quality service.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Used slow periods to restock assigned daily job duties
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
General Manager/Head Bartender
The Board Room
08.2020 - 03.2024
- Developed and launched restaurant opening bar program, including handcrafted mixology cocktails and wine list
- Managed hiring and training of all staff for restaurant opening
- Continued development and training of staff on-going
- Conducted cost management/controls for all beverage programs to ensure profitability level goals are achieved
- Set up POS system, third-party delivery services (Grubhub, DoorDash, UberEats) and trained staff on use
- Created customized wine pairing dinners for special events and managed execution as the guiding Sommelier
- Collaborated with Owner on details for restaurant launch, including barware selection, menus, and event offerings
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Maintained secure cash drawers, promptly resolving discrepancies in daily totals.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Managed bar at special events, leading team in providing coordinated service for weddings, business meetings and social gatherings.
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
Head Bartender /Manager on Duty
Nirvana Wine Bar & Grillery
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Operationalized bar including managing ordering/stocking and cash operations
- Managed bar inventory and established storage procedures to insure optimal levels meet customer demand
- Cultivated and grew customer relationships by guiding them through the wine and food menus
- Organized and executed monthly wine club memberships for 200+ customers and created in-depth wine descriptions for each wine
- Continually grew wine club membership by developing rich relationships with customers
- Ran end of day sales reports and managed weekly cash drops and cash drawer levels
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
General Manager/Bar Manager
Center Cut Steak House
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Created and innovated bar program, wine list, signature cocktails, craft beer lists that corresponds with trends and customers wants
- Established and managed content for all social media networks (Facebook & Instagram, etc)
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts and custom events
- Executed wine tastings, wine dinners, craft beer tap takeovers, and other customer-facing programs
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Maximized customer service through staff training, overseeing operations, and resolving issues in a timely manner
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Closed out cash register and prepared cashier report at close of business.
Bar Manager
Emil’s Tavern
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Created effective employee schedules maintaining coverage at peak times and minimizing labor costs.
- Strategized plans to increase bar revenue through innovative promotional concepts, specialty drinks, and customer-focused events.
- Maintained high standards of customer service by staying up to date on bar and menu options and providing effective food recommendations for guests.
- Designed special drink and cocktail offerings on monthly basis as part of seasonal offerings.
- Closed out cash register and prepared cashier report at close of business.
- Kept alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Guaranteed optimal beverage stock by assessing inventory and collaborating with owners for corrective action planning to limit expenses.
Bartender/Bar Trainer
The Vine Wine & Martini Bar
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
Education
Certified Level 1 Sommelier -
The Court of Sommeliers of America
01-2020
Associate of Applied Science - undefined
William Rainey Harper College
01.2005
Skills
- Sales
- Advertising and marketing
- Branding
- Project planning
- Staff motivation
- Operations oversight
- Communication skills
- Bilingual
- Employee scheduling
- Relationship building
- Staff development
- Networking
- Team training and development
- Inventory control
Timeline
Server / Manager Keyholder
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
03.2024 - Current
General Manager/Head Bartender
The Board Room
08.2020 - 03.2024
Head Bartender /Manager on Duty
Nirvana Wine Bar & Grillery
01.2019 - 01.2022
General Manager/Bar Manager
Center Cut Steak House
01.2016 - 01.2019
Bar Manager
Emil’s Tavern
01.2014 - 01.2016
Bartender/Bar Trainer
The Vine Wine & Martini Bar
01.2006 - 01.2014
Associate of Applied Science - undefined
William Rainey Harper College
Certified Level 1 Sommelier -
The Court of Sommeliers of America
Similar Profiles
Arianna VanegasArianna Vanegas
Bartender at Perry’s Steakhouse & GrilleBartender at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Dustin WigginsDustin Wiggins
Line Chef at Perry’s Steakhouse & GrilleLine Chef at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Milly MontemayorMilly Montemayor
Hostess at Perry’s Steakhouse and GrillHostess at Perry’s Steakhouse and Grill
Jesus GarciaJesus Garcia
Auto Mechanic at Mexico Mufflers and BreaksAuto Mechanic at Mexico Mufflers and Breaks
Cristian OrtizCristian Ortiz
Stocking Associate /Cashier at WalmartStocking Associate /Cashier at Walmart