Grace Ivanov
St. Catharines
Summary
Luxury service expert with comprehensive experience in wine education and guest relations. Committed to enhancing guest satisfaction through tailored food and wine pairings and exceptional hospitality. Demonstrated ability to lead teams and maintain service excellence in premier dining settings.
Overview
1
1
Certification
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Service Leader
TOCA, The Ritz-Carlton
Toronto
08.2018 - Current
- Led nightly operations by managing guest flow, maintaining service standards, and overseeing quality control to enhance overall dining experience.
- Deliver Forbes Five-Star dining experiences through personalized service and curated food and wine pairings.
- Trained and mentored team members to ensure seamless service execution and uphold high service standards.
- Consistently recognized in guest feedback reports for exceptional service and hospitality.
- Cultivated strong relationships with guests, fostering repeat business and enhancing guest loyalty.
Server
Soho House
Toronto
09.2021 - 12.2023
- Elevated dining experiences by aligning service with Soho House standards.
- Enhanced member experience through attentive, personalized service.
- Recommended food and beverage pairings that increased member and guest satisfaction.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with members, guests, colleagues, and management.
- Successfully completed all service and operational training through Club School.
Brand Ambassador
Phantom Creek Estates
07.2020 - 10.2020
- Represented the Phantom Creek Estates brand through luxury guest experiences and educational winery tours.
- Promoted wine club memberships, private events, and wine sales, consistently exceeding sales targets.
- Delivered tailored VIP experiences for high-value clientele and wine club members, fostering lasting relationships.
- Guided guests through vineyard, production facilities, art installations, and exclusive seated tastings, enhancing overall guest engagement.
- Educated visitors on viticulture, terroir, winemaking techniques, vineyard history, and wine profiles.
Service Leader
Buca Osteria & Enoteca
Toronto
08.2013 - 08.2018
- Managed customer relations, resolved conflicts, scheduled shifts, onboarded new hires, supported payroll, and developed team capabilities, ensuring smooth operations.
- Trained and mentored new team members to uphold service standards and operational procedures, enhancing team competency.
- Fostered strong relationships with guests, staff, and senior leadership to create a collaborative and welcoming environment.
- Contributed to operational excellence in a high-volume, award-winning hospitality environment.
- Selected for opening teams at two new restaurant locations within the King Street Food Company group.
Education
Practitioner Diploma -
Institute of Holistic Nutrition
07-2026
Certificate - Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health
University of Sydney
06-2020
Liberal Arts & Science Diploma -
George Brown College
04-2018
Skills
- Luxury Hospitality
- Wine pairing
- Wine sales
- Guest Relations
- VIP service
- Team leadership
- Conflict Resolution
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Adaptability
Certification
- WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
- WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (In Progress)
Timeline
Server
Soho House
09.2021 - 12.2023
Brand Ambassador
Phantom Creek Estates
07.2020 - 10.2020
Service Leader
TOCA, The Ritz-Carlton
08.2018 - Current
Service Leader
Buca Osteria & Enoteca
08.2013 - 08.2018
Practitioner Diploma -
Institute of Holistic Nutrition
Certificate - Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health
University of Sydney
Liberal Arts & Science Diploma -
George Brown College