Sheneeka Ocasio

• Aqua NYC

- Wine Director ~ August 2024 – Present

- Manage wine and sake program administration, including ordering, cost control, and inventory systems.

- Lead wine and sake programs, including menu development, costing, and purchasing

- Established and continue to nurture relationships with sales reps with the restaurant’s best interests in mind.

- Cultivate guest relationships on the floor, enhancing the dining experience through personalized service and expert recommendations.

- Facilitate on-site and off-site training sessions, bringing in reps to educate FOH teams.

- Pair wines and sakes with tasting menus and curated coursed experiences to elevate guest dining.

- Regularly update beverage menus to reflect seasonal changes, guest preferences, and new products.

- Oversee beverage inventory management, ensuring accurate counts and minimal waste

- Implemented a binning system to streamline inventory organization and restocking procedures

- Train and develop sommeliers and front-of-house staff on wine, sake, and upselling techniques

- Maintain and grow vendor relationships to ensure consistent quality and innovation in offerings

- Responsible for outfitting Bungalow with their opening Wine list.

- Established and continue to nurture relationships with sales reps with the restaurant’s best interests in mind.

- Coordinate daily service.

- Lead daily staff training.

- Facilitate on-site and off-site training sessions, bringing in reps to educate FOH teams.

- Regularly update beverage menus to reflect seasonal changes, guest preferences, and new products.

- Responsible for acculturation of new staff, regardless of position in all things "Daniel”, essentially helping staff become accustomed to a fast paced, service environment, with an emphasis on teamwork.

- Led training for staff regarding all wine and liquor sales , with and emphasis on cocktails and wine.

- Negotiated contracts successfully with vendors and service providers resulting in cost savings for the company.

- Established rapport with clients, maintaining strong relationships that encouraged repeat business.

- Enhanced team performance by implementing efficient communication systems and procedures.

- Increased customer satisfaction through meticulous attention to detail and prompt resolution of issues.

- Responsible for inventory management, daily requisitions, and training new hires.

- Lead weekly wine training sessions, fostering staff participation regardless of wine knowledge or position.

- Consulted on wine purchasing and menu changes.

-Collaborated with event coordinators to maximize the use of historic event spaces.

- Advised on optimizing venue layouts and logistics for various events.

- Managed staff scheduling, hiring, and training to ensure a high level of service quality at all times.

- Maintained updated knowledge of industry trends, competitor offerings, and market demands to inform strategic decisions about future event offerings at the venue.

- Specialized in Middle Eastern wine and cuisine, emphasizing cultural understanding and appreciation.

- Expert in Natural Wine knowledge and sales, enhancing guest dining experiences through informed recommendations.

- Coordinated private events, managing all aspects of guest experience from start to finish efficiently.

- Maintained high customer satisfaction in a fast-paced environment.

- Built a loyal customer base through seamless and personable service.