Jon Blair
Lacombe,LA
Summary
Dependable and engaging server successfully providing fast, high-quality customer service to guests in restaurant settings. Adaptable professional with expertise in personnel development, team collaboration and resolving issues with customers, waitstaff and management.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Server
Creole Cuisine
02.2023 - Current
- Serve food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Work with POS system to place orders and manage bills.
- Cultivate warm relationships with customers to ensure the best possible dining experience.
- Maintain clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Resolve customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Explain menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Arrange and prepare tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
- Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
- Use slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
- Utilize communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Upsell high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Carry out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Follow local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations while serving spirits.
- Display enthusiasm and promote excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
Laboratory Technician
Ochsner/St. Tammany Parish Hospital
11.2010 - 06.2014
- Performed routine lab and department maintenance to keep area clean and orderly.
- Documented information by maintaining daily logs and equipment record books.
- Performed testing and quality control using approved laboratory procedures and instrumentation.
- Calibrated and maintained instruments to keep equipment fully operational.
- Maintained documentation on tests performed in lab.
- Trained new associates in laboratory procedures and standards.
- Kept laboratory supplies prepared by inventorying stock, placing orders and verifying receipt.
- Operated basic laboratory equipment such as balances, pH meter, colorimeter, spectrophotometer, autoclave and evaporator.
- Cleaned and sterilized tools and equipment to maximize purity of specimens.
- Supported laboratory staff with advanced troubleshooting, resolving complex problems and helping with special projects.
- Registered and prepared samples for general analytical testing through data entry, weighing and physical homogenization.
- Collected and performed analytical testing on in-process product.
- Interpreted and documented results of tests into active databases and communicated results to internal customers.
- Stored, transported and submitted urinalysis samples.
Hotel General Manager
Heritage Court
09.2008 - 04.2010
- Handled guest complaints and offered complimentary services to maintain high guest satisfaction rates.
- Greeted and assisted guests by gathering information pertaining to reservations or requests.
- Booked large groups for weddings, seminars, conferences, and other events, providing best available room rates.
- Increased customer service ratings through personable service.
- Analyzed and evaluated business data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Provided services efficiently and with high level of accuracy.
- Developed and implemented strategies to optimize operational efficiency and maximize profits.
- Offered appropriate reservation options based on expected attendees when coordinating events.
- Solicited and reviewed guest feedback and promptly resolved complaints.
- Established and upheld high standards, promoting great customer service and assistance to guests.
- Fostered safe lodging environment with reliable and effective security services.
- Created and managed accurate occupancy forecasts and budgets.
General Manager
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
03.2005 - 09.2008
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Provided strategic oversight of marketing and promotional campaigns to keep campaigns aligned with overall goals and objectives.
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
Education
High School Diploma -
Covington High School
Covington, LASkills
- Order Accuracy and Delivery
- Server Training
- Wine Service
- Contamination Prevention
- Managing Extras
- Server Systems
- Calm and Pleasant Demeanor
- Risk Management
- Anticipating Problems
- Guest Experience Optimization
- Crew Coordination
- Policy Implementation
- Team Training
- Monitoring Food Preparation
- Overseeing Personnel
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Disciplinary Action
- Server Scheduling
- Managing Reservations and Large Parties
- Employee Development
- Maintain Food Safety
- Delegating Assignments and Tasks
- Organizing and Prioritizing
- Employee Performance Evaluations
- POS Terminal Operation
- Brand Loyalty
Timeline
Server
Creole Cuisine
02.2023 - Current
Laboratory Technician
Ochsner/St. Tammany Parish Hospital
11.2010 - 06.2014
Hotel General Manager
Heritage Court
09.2008 - 04.2010
General Manager
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
03.2005 - 09.2008
High School Diploma -
Covington High School