Tracy Berkes
Joliet,IL
Summary
Friendly food industry Bartender/Server proficient at creating positive consumer experiences that lead to return business. Fast-learner adept at memorizing menu details and specialty items for enhanced dining experience. Noted for prompt attention and respectful demeanor. Observant server with 30 years of experience facilitating fantastic dining experiences. Food industry veteran with experience seating guests and bartending. Celebrated for wide skillset and positive attitude. Motivated bartender with engaging personality and flexible approach. Upbeat, friendly and anticipating customer needs to facilitate enjoyable dining experiences. Dependable bartender, successful 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. Talented Server bringing skills in order management, payment processing and upselling. Stay current on menu items and consistently offer targeted recommendations to meet individual customer needs. Knowledgeable about handling special dietary requirements and general food safety standards.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender/Party Bartender/Key Holder
Kick Off Pizza and Sports Bar
Romeoville, IL
01.2024 - Current
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Educated customers on drink options, making personalized recommendations based on preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Supported special events through attentive service, adapting quickly to varying needs of guests or clients.
- Handled cash and card transactions accurately, reducing discrepancies and balancing till at end of each shift.
- Improved team morale and efficiency, leading by example and offering support during peak hours.
- Adapted to fast-paced environment, effectively managing multiple drink orders simultaneously without compromising quality.
- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat customers, engaging in friendly conversation and memorizing drink orders to promote loyalty.
Bartender
Roc City Bar and Grill
Rockdale, Il
01.2023 - Current
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Proactively addressed potential conflicts or disturbances among patrons, maintaining a safe atmosphere for all guests.
Food and Beverage Server/Bartender
Hollywood Casino
Joliet, IL
02.2000 - Current
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing attentive service and anticipating guests' needs
- Maintained a clean and organized area for an enjoyable guest experience
- Managed high-volume order requests during peak hours while maintaining accurate order fulfillment and prompt service
- Streamlined beverage preparation processes, resulting in faster turnaround times and higher overall efficiency levels
- Contributed to team success by cross-training in multiple roles, ensuring seamless coverage during busy periods or staff absences
- Quickly took orders, prepared drink orders, and delivered to very high volume bars and casino floor
Bartender/Server/Key Holder
Bulldog Ale House
New Lenox, IL
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and crafting high-quality cocktails
- Maintained 2 keg coolers with 72 tap beers
- Fastest keg changers you will ever meet
- Reduced wait times for drinks by efficiently managing the bar area and prioritizing orders
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues
- Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation
- Enhanced overall guest experience by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues professionally
- Continuously updated knowledge of industry trends, introducing new cocktails and techniques to the menu
- Supported special events through attentive service, adapting quickly to varying needs of guests or clients
- Educated customers on drink options, making personalized recommendations based on preferences or dietary restrictions
- Assisted with staff training, sharing expertise in bartending techniques and customer service best practices
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to develop creative food pairings that complemented beverage offerings
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift
- Proactively addressed potential conflicts or disturbances among patrons, maintaining a safe atmosphere for all guests
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift
- Consistently met or exceeded sales targets by upselling premium products without compromising guest satisfaction
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable pricing terms for liquor purchases
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands
- Recruited and trained new bartenders and barbacks to help maintain talented team
- Cultivated strong relationships with repeat customers, engaging in friendly conversation and memorizing drink orders to promote loyalty
- Maintained impeccably clean, attractive and well-stocked bar area
- Kept bar stocked with liquors, juices and garnishes for drinks
- Used extensive knowledge of beer, wine and spirits to make informed recommendations to customers
- Helped management plan and serve bar menu exceeding customer expectations
- Prepared garnishes by evenly slicing and pitting fruits
Education
High School Diploma - College Preparatory
Providence Catholic High School
New Lenox, ILCriminal Justice
University of Illinois At Chicago UIC
Chicago, IL05.1994
Skills
- Bartending
- Food Safety Practices
- Guest Satisfaction
- Guest Service
- Inventory Management
- Sanitation Standards
- Food Running
- Upselling
- Food Presentation
- Cross-Selling Abilities
- Wine Pairing Knowledge
- Sanitation
- Payment Processing
- Allergy Awareness
- Safe Food Handling
- Order Accuracy
- Order Management
- Complaint Handling
- Drinking Age Verification
- Menu Changes
- Special Event Coordination
- Flexible Schedule
- Point of Sale
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Tableside etiquette
- Professional demeanor
- Customer service excellence
- Menu knowledge
- Cash handling
- POS system operation
- Team collaboration
- Beverage expertise
- Time management
- Conflict resolution
- Beverage Preparation
- Guest Engagement
- Food Station Setup
- Professional Appearance
- Sales Expertise
- Food Sales and Promotion
- Suggestive Selling
- Sales Techniques
- Food and Beverage Pairings
- Food Safety Understanding
- Menu Presentation
- Exceptional Customer Service
Affiliations
Events For a Cause, Witches night out committee member, Very great cause I'm proud to be involved in. We raised nearly $200,000 for our recipients in recent years.
Timeline
Bartender/Party Bartender/Key Holder
Kick Off Pizza and Sports Bar
01.2024 - Current
Bartender
Roc City Bar and Grill
01.2023 - Current
Bartender/Server/Key Holder
Bulldog Ale House
01.2021 - 12.2023
Food and Beverage Server/Bartender
Hollywood Casino
02.2000 - Current
High School Diploma - College Preparatory
Providence Catholic High School
Criminal Justice
University of Illinois At Chicago UIC