Valerie Blackman
Bronx
Summary
- Hospitality Specialist - Talented Professional, dedicated to providing elevated service and providing unforgettable guest experiences.
- Efficient Cocktail Waitress bringing 25 years of exceptional performance in serving roles. Eager to fulfill a Hospitality Specialist role, opportunity to apply knowledge of bar operations.
- Approachable Hostess with extensive experience managing reservations and waitlists. Warmly greets and seats guests promptly. Constantly finding new ways to exceed guests' expectations with personalized service.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Server
RED LOBSTER
01.2007 - 09.2007
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
Reservations Agent
BLUE WATER GRILL
05.2002 - 01.2003
- Provided customers with information about availability and pricing.
- Resolved various issues and discrepancies for customers.
- Provided high level of customer service to each person by engaging customer and using active listening and effective interpersonal skills.
- Answered incoming phone calls and developed friendly rapport with callers while answering questions, making recommendations and leading conversations to bookings.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
Server
TGI FRIDAYS
10.1999 - 08.2000
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
Reservations Agent
LE BERNARDIN
09.1995 - 01.1996
- Informed clients of policies and procedures.
- Resolved caller issues quickly and thoroughly.
- Obtained client information by answering telephone calls.
- Advised customers about new products and assisted customers in determining best [Type] product for needs.
Bartender
WEBSTER HALL, NYC
10.1993 - 04.1994
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- 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.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Set up bar for operation, obtained cash bank and stocked service bar.
- Kept alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands.
- Operated efficiently in high-volume setting to prepare and serve more than 25 drinks per hour.
- Orchestrated numerous private parties, business meetings and formal engagements.
- Developed drink menu with creative cocktails, contemporary wines and craft beers.
- Increased bar revenue through development and marketing of featured cocktails.
Bartender
THE LIMELIGHT, NYC
07.1993 - 09.1993
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Operated efficiently in high-volume setting to prepare and serve more than 50 drinks per hour.
- Set up glassware, liquor and other necessary supplies for special events.
- Increased bar revenue through development and marketing of featured cocktails.
Bartender
THE PALLADIUM, NYC
07.1992 - 09.1992
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- 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.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Set up glassware, liquor and other necessary supplies for special events.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Developed drink menu with creative cocktails, contemporary wines and craft beers.
Cocktail Server
THE BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB
05.1986 - 11.1989
- Determined customer preferences to suggest appropriate cocktails and increase sales.
- Served alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in bar environment.
- Maintained accuracy and efficiency when processing sales transactions.
- Maintained clean and organized bar area.
- Communicated with guests to record orders and assess needs.
- Greeted new customers, discussed specials and took drink orders.
Receptionist
PAINE WEBBER
02.1983 - 02.1984
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients and updated client records.
- Answered central telephone system and directed calls accordingly.
- Coordinated travel accommodations, agenda, and transportation for staff and out-of-town visitors.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts
Cuny-Hunter
New York, NY05.2027
High School Diploma -
The Bronx High School of Science
75 West 205th Street06.1982
Skills
- Menu Memorization and Presentation
- Transactions and Cash Handling
- High-Energy and Stamina
- Order Accuracy and Delivery
- Specials Promotion and Upselling
- Customer Service and Rapport
- Hospitality Service Expertise
- Greeting and Seating Guests
- Cocktail Knowledge
- Anticipating Guest Needs
- Front- and Back-Of-House Coordination
- Customer Loyalty
- Active Listening and Communication
- Guest Relations Management
- Menu Presentation
- High-Volume Dining
- Customer Preferences
- Station Preparation
- Multi-Line Telephone Systems
- Greet Guests
- Customer Service
- Reservation Planning
- Reservation Documentation
- Take-Out Service
- Enter Orders
- Front of House Display Creation
- Dining Crew Workflow Optimization
- Guest Flow
- Answer Telephone Calls
- Check Payment Processing
- Hors D' Oeuvres Service
- Restaurant Operation
- Hospitality Management
- Reservation Coordination
- Service Prioritization
- Dining Reservations
Affiliations
THE NEW YORK CITY ROAD RUNNERS CLUB
VOLUNTEER 2012-2022 NYC MARATHON EVENT
MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER
VOLUNTEER 2012-2022
CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL AGAINST LYMPHOMA CANCER
VOLUNTEER 2012-2022
Timeline
Server
RED LOBSTER
01.2007 - 09.2007
Reservations Agent
BLUE WATER GRILL
05.2002 - 01.2003
Server
TGI FRIDAYS
10.1999 - 08.2000
Reservations Agent
LE BERNARDIN
09.1995 - 01.1996
Bartender
WEBSTER HALL, NYC
10.1993 - 04.1994
Bartender
THE LIMELIGHT, NYC
07.1993 - 09.1993
Bartender
THE PALLADIUM, NYC
07.1992 - 09.1992
Cocktail Server
THE BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB
05.1986 - 11.1989
Receptionist
PAINE WEBBER
02.1983 - 02.1984
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts
Cuny-Hunter
High School Diploma -
The Bronx High School of Science
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