Laryssa Cesta
Niagara-on-the-Lake,ON
Summary
An accomplished, versatile and results-driven professional in the hospitality industry. Equipped with excellent communication and customer service skills, I am pursuing seasonal employment in the Niagara region eager to contribute to team success, ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
ESL Teacher
Flora Farms
San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico
01.2024 - Current
- Seasonal six month position where I developed and taught an ESL curriculum to improve restaurant employees conversational abilities within a restaurant setting serving mainly English speaking clientele. I educate junior servers and support staff with the basics of English grammar to improve their communication and advance their hospitality careers.
- Created a program for 64 students called 'Of Service' delivering the very beginners basic English as a second language. Delivered engaging lesson plans to accommodate different learning styles and levels.
- Assessed work of adult students to evaluate progress and identify areas for improvement.
Restaurant Owner
Pieza Pizzeria
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
10.2014 - 10.2024
- Owned and operated the first 'Neapolitan Wood Burning' Pizzeria in Niagara on the Lake as featured in the New York Times travel column '36 Hours in Niagara-on-the-Lake' July 25th, 2019 edition. Stop #2. 5pm 'Certifiably Good'
- Managed the fast paced, licensed 30 seat restaurant's daily operations to ensure a high level of efficiency, consistency, and quality in both food and service. Oversaw employee hiring and training, payroll and bookeeping.
- Maintained positive relationships with local community and government officials.
- Ensured compliance with all health department regulations, maintaining a safe environment for both employees and patrons alike.
- Established strong vendor relationships for the consistent sourcing of fresh ingredients and local wine and beer at competitive prices.
- Coordinated catering events that showcased the restaurants culinary talents while generating additional revenue streams through off-site services.
Plant Store Owner
Grow Pots and Plants
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
01.2018 - 10.2022
- Owned a small plant and gift shop in Old Town Niagara on the Lake specializing in tropical, succulent and cactus plants and pottery.
- Created a welcoming atmosphere within the gift shop that encouraged customers to spend more time browsing products.
- Increased store sales by implementing effective marketing strategies and attractive merchandise displays.
- Established rapport with customers by offering personalized assistance and recommendations based on their needs/preferences.
- Coordinated seasonal merchandising changes throughout the year to keep displays fresh and enticing for customers.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable pricing and securing unique products for the gift shop.
Education
Post-Graduate Certificate - Public Relations
Ryerson University
Toronto, ON04-2007
Skills
- Small business operations
- Customer engagement
- Staff leadership
- Operations management
- POS system operation
- Sales expertise
- Business planning
- Business marketing
Timeline
ESL Teacher
Flora Farms
01.2024 - Current
Plant Store Owner
Grow Pots and Plants
01.2018 - 10.2022
Restaurant Owner
Pieza Pizzeria
10.2014 - 10.2024
Post-Graduate Certificate - Public Relations
Ryerson University