Jennifer Laurence
Edmonton,AB
Summary
Customer service-focused hospitality Beverage Director with strong expertise and content knowledge of beer, fine wines and spirits. Built career of 22 years of experience improving restaurant standards in providing quality beverages and service. Highly skilled in managing employees through entire hiring, training and scheduling areas. Comfortable in fast paced environments and thrive on new challenges and situations.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Food & Beverage Manager
Barrhead Golf Course
03.2023 - 11.2023
- Responsible for coordinating and executing golf & holiday catering events & menu’s
- Acting as a key point person for the client providing accurate and detailed banquet event orders, floor plans, and execution
- Proficient time management, attention to detail and organization skills
- Ordering for food, wine, liquor, and beverages for Clubhouse, BEO’s, and Beverage Cart
- Culture a positive work environment where staff development and hard work are recognized
- Oversee daily operation of the restaurant, bar and staff
- Creation and execution of food & beverage menus
- Creating and supplying monthly and quarterly reports supporting productivity and sales assisting with the preparation of the yearly budget allocation
- Developing and maintaining positive relationships with other internal departments such as Marketing, also all vendors and suppliers
- Assisting with preparing, serving and selling food and beverage items to guests while providing outstanding customer service
- Ensuring adherence to quality expectations and standards; and identifying, recommending, developing, and implementing new ways to increase organizational efficiency, productivity, quality and safety.
- Implemented new drink policies, reducing over-pouring.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by implementing innovative food and beverage offerings.
- Streamlined operational processes for improved efficiency and reduced waste.
- Developed training programs for staff to increase product knowledge and enhance service quality.
- Collaborated with chefs to create seasonal menus that met diverse dietary needs and preferences.
- Increased guest loyalty through attentive service, personalized recommendations, and consistent follow-up on feedback.
- Maximized sales opportunities with upselling techniques and well-timed menu suggestions based on customer preferences.
Lodge Manager
White Wilderness Heli Lodge
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Coordinating staff schedules based on lodge reservations
- Managing, and scheduling lodge staff
- Processing payments and completing daily deposit settlements for lodge transactions
- Tracking and splitting of gratuities for all staff
- Serve breakfast and dinner for lodge guests
- Wine pairing for dinner menu for lodge guests
- Prepare and serve ski après to all lodge guests
- Executes and supervision of cabin assignments, check in and check outs
- Ensure all guest cabins are left detailed and stocked
- Responsible for maintaining all cabins across the property
- Enjoy the challenges of living/working in a remote lodge environment and be team orientated
- Delivering exceptional food and beverage service while creating genuine connections with guests.
Head of House
Plummers Arctic Lodge
07.2022 - 09.2022
- Responsible for support of all guests in house, cabins, food service, floorplan, lodge activities
- Responsible for pastries, baking, bread preparation, shore lunches
- Executes and supervision of cabin assignments, lodge schedule
- Ensure all guest cabins are left detailed and stocked
- Responsible for maintaining all cabins across the property
- Enjoy the challenges of living/working in a remote lodge environment and be team orientated
- Delivering exceptional food and beverage service while creating genuine connections with guests.
Event Catering Manager
Canmore
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Responsible for coordinating events, weddings, corporate from booking to execution of event
- Executes floor shifts for events, including oversight of food and beverage delivery, food quality, staffing and meeting standards of department
- Maintains positive relationships with guests and staff
- Proficient time management, attention to detail and organization skills
- Supervises and coordinates activities of budgets, floorplan, timeline, menus, wine service.
- Managed high-quality food preparation and presentation, ensuring consistent client satisfaction.
- Developed strong vendor relationships, securing cost-effective contracts and improving overall service quality.
- Achieved increased client retention rates by providing exceptional customer service throughout the event planning process.
- Conducted post-event evaluations with clients, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes accordingly.
- Increased staff productivity through effective scheduling practices that ensured optimal coverage during peak periods.
- Successfully managed a diverse range of events including weddings, corporate functions, and special occasions, consistently exceeding client expectations.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
- Designed catering packages to increase sales and customer experience.
- Handled catering scheduling, ordered food and planned events.
- Organized and oversaw food service training to educate employees on resetting tables, relaying orders to cooks and upselling food and beverages.
- Developed unique events and special promotions to drive sales.
Premium Service Manager
Aramark - Oilers Entertainment Group
10.2017 - 07.2021
- Responsible for support of all “non-event” and “event day” food and beverage and other services
- Executes floor shifts for events, including oversight of food and beverage delivery, food quality, staffing and meeting standards of department
- Supervises and coordinates activities of order placing, post event reconciliations, scheduling
- Assists team as required with recruitment, hiring, training and development
- Ensures that all products meet and exceed client expectations
- Supports daily, weekly, monthly inventory counts & valuations
- Manage monthly, quarterly and yearly budgets
- Reports timely & accurately as specified by on site management.
Education
Hotel & Hospitality Management -
George Brown College
Toronto, ON06.2001
Skills
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Time Management
- Food Preparation
- Table Management
- Food Presentation
- Team Leadership
- Budget Management
- Sales Forecasting
- Vendor Relations
Leadership Experience
During my time in the Restaurant & Hospitality industry I owned an Event Coordination company part time for 5 years executing over 200 events from concept to design and execution.
I volunteer with the Town of Morinville St Jean Baptiste Festival Committee as well over the years have ran for Town Council and worked with town committees.
Events
- Oilers Entertainment Group Iron & Frost 2018
- Edmonton Oilers Christmas Gala 2018
- Hockey Canada Foundation Gala 2019
- NHL Stanley Cup Hub City 2020
Communication Skills
I have worked in the Restaurant & Hospitality Industry for over 20 years, and have held numerous positions such as; server, bartender, supervisor, catering manager, head of house fishing lodge, event coordinator & food and beverage manager. I enjoy working with the public in a hospitality setting. I pride myself on building a rapport with customers and enhancing customer service. I work well in a team setting with peers as well in a leadership role gaining the trust and respect from my staff.
Languages
Additional Information
Events
Oilers Entertainment Group - Iron & Frost Gala 2018
Edmonton Oilers Christmas Gala
Oilers Entertainment Group - Joey Moss Memorial
Canadian Hockey Canada Foundation Gala 2019
NHL Stanley Cup Hub City 2020
Timeline
Food & Beverage Manager
Barrhead Golf Course
03.2023 - 11.2023
Lodge Manager
White Wilderness Heli Lodge
01.2023 - 03.2023
Head of House
Plummers Arctic Lodge
07.2022 - 09.2022
Event Catering Manager
Canmore
07.2021 - 07.2022
Premium Service Manager
Aramark - Oilers Entertainment Group
10.2017 - 07.2021
Hotel & Hospitality Management -
George Brown College
Similar Profiles
Georgia ChippsGeorgia Chipps
Healthcare Aid at Barrhead Home CareHealthcare Aid at Barrhead Home Care
Emma MackenzieEmma Mackenzie
Score Keeper at Barrhead CompositeScore Keeper at Barrhead Composite
Savannah BelykSavannah Belyk
Family & Youth Program Coordinator at Barrhead & District FCSS SocietyFamily & Youth Program Coordinator at Barrhead & District FCSS Society