Valerie Smith
Mobile,AL
Summary
Friendly personality and a team player, highly motivated to complete all tasks presented in the workplace. Punctual, flexible schedule, and motivated to learn new skills. High-energy professional skilled at welcoming guests, maintaining entrances and balancing server loads to optimize operations. Collaborative, hardworking and efficient at prioritizing and handling simultaneous tasks to promote positive dining experiences.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrative Assistant
Sunrise Marine Of Alabama
Daphne, AL
08.2023 - Current
- Answered questions from customers regarding products and services offered by the company.
- Handled confidential documents in an organized fashion according to established protocol.
- Proofread content for typo-free emails and documentation.
- Updated system to organize office documentation, maximizing efficiency and increasing productivity.
- Ensured efficient operation of office equipment such as printers, copiers and fax machines.
- Directed customer inquiries to appropriate department personnel.
- Maintained office supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level.
- Developed and implemented filing systems, both digital and physical, improving document organization and retrieval efficiency.
- Compiled data from various sources into organized reports for review by management team.
- Composed letters, memos, reports, emails, presentations and other written correspondence as required by management staff.
- Facilitated communication between different departments within the organization.
- Conducted research on various topics as requested by management.
Prep Cook & Hostess
Cracker Barrel
Mobile, AL
03.2022 - 08.2023
- Built and maintained relationships with peers and upper management to drive team success.
- Assisted staff by serving food and beverages or bussing tables.
- Greeted customers, answered questions and recommended specials to increase profits.
- Took beverage orders and served drinks during peak meal times.
- Maintained cleanliness standards in the dining area including wiping down tables and chairs between seatings.
- Monitored dining room activity to ensure all guests were receiving optimal service.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner while maintaining a positive attitude towards guests.
- Operated grills, ovens and other kitchen equipment as required for meal preparation.
- Kept the kitchen area clean at all times during shifts.
- Cooked meats, fish, poultry or other foods using various methods such as baking, frying or grilling.
- Requested supplies and equipment orders, explaining needs to managers.
Server
Baumhower's Victory Grille
Daphne, Alabama
02.2020 - 02.2022
- Circulated within assigned areas to assess and address customer needs, effectively prioritizing tasks during peak hours.
- Cleaned tables and chairs to prepare dining area for next customers.
- Communicated with hosts, bussers and kitchen staff to prepare for and serve customers.
- Performed opening and closing duties such as setting up the dining area, restocking supplies.
- Maintained records of transactions made during shift as required by law or company policy.
- Addressed complaints to kitchen staff and served replacement items.
- Responded efficiently to guest inquiries and complaints in a professional manner.
- Greeted customers, answered questions and recommended specials to increase profits.
- Served food and beverages to patrons and immediately remedied issues with orders.
- Set up tables in between patrons to reduce wait times.
- Filled condiments and napkin containers during slack periods.
- Promoted desserts, appetizers, and specialty drinks to optimize sales.
- Checked identification to verify if guests meet minimum age to legally purchase or consume alcoholic beverages.
Server
Buck's Pizza Downtown
Mobile, AL
03.2019 - 02.2020
- Explained menu options to guests, offered suggestions and took orders for food and beverages.
- Took reservations and to-go orders to streamline process for both customer and restaurant.
- Explained menu items, describing ingredients and cooking methods upon request.
- Provided exceptional service to high volume of daily customers.
- Arranged place settings with clean tablecloths, napkins and tableware to prepare for incoming guests.
- Implemented feedback from customers to improve service quality and menu offerings.
- Displayed enthusiasm and knowledge about restaurant's menu and products.
- Handled money transactions accurately while following company procedures for handling cash payments.
- Assisted in preparing salads, appetizers and desserts to speed up food service.
- Collaborated with other restaurant staff members to ensure efficient operations within the restaurant environment.
- Prepared checks, itemizing total meal costs and taxes.
- Followed health safety guidelines when preparing and serving food products.
- Garnished dishes and beverages to serve visually appealing menu items.
Head Bartender
Lit Cigar Lounge
Mobile, Alabama
03.2018 - 03.2019
- Enhanced sales and profit through improved management approaches and enhanced employee training on sales techniques.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner while adhering to company policies and procedures.
- Planned and coordinated special events to boost customer numbers and profits.
- Ensured that all liquor laws were followed during service hours.
- Organized bar staff scheduling, including vacation time requests and sick days.
- Cleaned up spills and broken glassware and safely disposed of sharp pieces.
- Assigned bartenders to specific tasks and duties throughout the shift.
- Worked in close collaboration with team members to ensure customers received high-quality service.
- Displayed and retained extensive knowledge of liquors and wines.
- Mixed and served both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for patrons by following standard recipes and procedures.
- Greeted guests with friendliness and professionalism.
- Stayed up-to-date on latest mixology trends, bar equipment, and sanitation standards.
- Provided feedback on performance reviews for each bartender.
- Introduced bar staff to precision pouring and waste reduction tactics to lower liquor costs.
Bartender
Tinder Box Cigars
Mobile, Alabama
10.2016 - 03.2018
- Greeted guests with friendliness and professionalism.
- Neatly sliced and pitted fruit for garnishing drinks.
- Upsold customers from shelf to premium brands to help boost sales.
- Checked identification of guests to verify age requirements for alcohol purchase.
- Managed accurate bar tabs and processed cash and credit card transactions.
- Ensured proper sanitation of bar area, glassware, utensils, and equipment.
- Completed regular bar inventories and daily requisition sheets.
- Effectively multitasked within fast-paced environment.
- Monitored bar inventory and promptly restocked low items before depletion.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing intoxication and handling intoxicated guests.
- Managed bar area, cocktail design and menu and handled inventory, regulation compliance, and customer relationships.
- Arranged bottles and glasses behind bar to make attractive displays.
Education
High School -
Theodore High School
Theodore, AL01.2014
Skills
- Positive and professional
- Cash Handling
- Customer service
- Training employees
- Cashier and stocking skills
- De-escalation of hostile situations
- Inventory Maintenance
- Phone etiquette
- Multi-tasking
- Point of sale operation
- Item promotion
- Quick creative thinking
- General sales knowledge
- Hostess support
- Table resetting
- Daily specials memorization
- Table setting knowledge
- Hospitality service expertise
- Safe food handling
- Upselling techniques
- Service prioritization
Timeline
Administrative Assistant
Sunrise Marine Of Alabama
08.2023 - Current
Prep Cook & Hostess
Cracker Barrel
03.2022 - 08.2023
Server
Baumhower's Victory Grille
02.2020 - 02.2022
Server
Buck's Pizza Downtown
03.2019 - 02.2020
Head Bartender
Lit Cigar Lounge
03.2018 - 03.2019
Bartender
Tinder Box Cigars
10.2016 - 03.2018
High School -
Theodore High School
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