Taylor Vaughan
Detroit,MI
Summary
Prior experience in a casual fine dining restaurant and upscale coffee shop with four years of experience in managing daily operations, improving profitability, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Proven success in ensuring smooth buyout events for clients from start to finish no matter what setbacks may occur. Skilled in customer service, employee retention, customer retention, and leadership. Hold certifications in ServSafe and TIPS. An individual familiar with most point of sale and reservation systems but Toast and Resy have been used primarily.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant General Manager
Ash Bar
05.2023 - 10.2024
- Oversaw all aspects of restaurant/cafe operations, including staff management, customer service, and financial performance
- Confirmed reservations, updated bookings, communicated large parties to CDC, and arranged Resy to optimize table seatings daily.
- Helped service wherever necessary in front of house and back of house
- Prepared crafted cocktails and maintained knowledge of all wine and beer offerings
- Implemented cost-saving measures that reduced overall expenses without compromising quality or service
- Made weekly schedules based off of forecasted business levels
- Put away weekly deliveries and liquor orders maintaining organization in all stock rooms.
- Interviewed, selected, and trained all incoming staff.
- Addressed customer concerns promptly and professionally to ensure best possible positive outcome
- Encouraged open lines of communication between front-and back-of-house teams to facilitate smooth day-to-day operations.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for employees
- Upheld high standards of cleanliness, safety, and sanitation
- Managed inventory levels effectively; minimizing waste while ensuring sufficient supply for daily operations
- Improved employee retention rates
- Attended weekly meetings with all of management team to discuss performance goals, address challenges, and implement improvement strategies
- Collaborated with CDC to develop seasonal menus that allowed us to minimize waste and also met customer preferences
- Created employee incentive programs based on performance metrics such as upselling percentages increasing guest check averages by 10%
- Implemented comprehensive employee training programs focused on enhancing product knowledge, service skills, and upselling techniques
- Implemented customer feedback system to gather insights on dining experience and made necessary improvements based on feedback received
- Coordinated special events/ private parties ensuring proper execution and client satisfaction
Barista and Manager
The Siren Cafe
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Prepared and served a variety of coffee beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, and cold brew
- Created new recipes for beverages and made all syrups in house
- Revamped menu and pricing, increasing check averages by 25%
- Crafted cocktails and served wine and beer to guests maintaining proper knowledge on all offerings.
- Ordered and put away all inventory/weekly deliveries.
- Created and updated beverage menu based on current offerings
- Provided exceptional customer service by greeting customers with a friendly and genuine demeanor
- Maintained consistent high standards of quality in every drink/pasty served to ensure customer satisfaction while ensuring fast ticket times.
- Efficiently operated espresso machines, grinders, and other equipment to produce consistent and delicious coffee drinks
- Managed inventory levels to ensure an adequate supply of coffee beans, milk, syrups, paper products, etc.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the coffee bar area/lobby at all times
- Handled all hiring and employee discipline
- Trained new baristas on proper brewing techniques, drink recipes, and customer service protocols
- Handled cash transactions accurately while following company policies regarding cash drop procedures
- Participated in regular staff meetings to discuss improvements in operations and share feedback from customers
- Responded effectively to customer complaints or concerns by listening attentively and resolving issues promptly
- Maintained knowledge of current industry trends related to specialty coffees
- Accurately dispersed tips and made sure employees timesheets/payroll were accurate weekly
- Handled monthly cash sales, ensuring accuracy, and deposited in company bank account regularly.
- Made repairs to all coffee equipment when able/ scheduled preventative maintenance checkups.
Barista
Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company
11.2020 - 08.2021
- Taking and executing orders timely as well as friendly manner
- Staying up to date on current offerings and informing customers on these new products
- Creating high quality beverages consistently and efficiently
- Accurately ringing and handling cash transactions
- Communicating effectively with team members and management
- Kept cafe lobby as well as work space clean and organized at all times
- Bussing tables
- Making cocktails and other coffee alcoholic beverages as well as pouring wine and draft beers
- Prepping and cooking in-house syrups
- Trained new hires
- Handling end of day cash deposits
- Dividing tips and dispersing them among employees accurately
- Putting away store deliveries whilst making sure everything is properly rotated
- Greeted customers warmly upon their arrival
Barista and Assistant Manager
Starbucks
11.2018 - 03.2020
- Dispersing tips to employees
- Reviewing daily sales/reports
- Making daily deposits
- Ordered change for registers accurately
- Made sure drinks made accurately with current syrup pumps for order consistency
- Counting inventory weekly and placing inventory orders
- Putting away food/inventory trucks while rotating products properly
- Training employees
- Hiring staff
- Employee discipline
- Meeting with store owners monthly
- Handled guest complaints
- Ensured proper coverage for all shifts based on service needs.
- Flipped seasonal product shelving
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Music Business
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI, United States03.2020
High School Diploma -
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe, MI05.2015
Skills
- Microsoft
- Excel
- Collaborative member of the team
- Able to prioritize and multitask effectively
- Money handling experience
- Adaptable
- Effective communication skills
- Excellent problem solving skills
- Able to work well under pressure
Timeline
Restaurant General Manager
Ash Bar
05.2023 - 10.2024
Barista and Manager
The Siren Cafe
08.2021 - 05.2023
Barista
Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company
11.2020 - 08.2021
Barista and Assistant Manager
Starbucks
11.2018 - 03.2020
High School Diploma -
Grosse Pointe North
Bachelor of Arts - Music Business
Wayne State University
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