Bevarage production ,sales ,marketing and distribution
Kevin Okumu
Hotelier
Nairobi
Summary
Certificate graduate in Banqueting Operation Technique from Kenya Utalii College with comprehensive training and a three-month internship at Utalii Hotel. Expertise in bar operations, food and menu management, food and beverage service, and banqueting and events operation. Specialization in bar operations with extensive knowledge and practical skills. Leadership experience at Nairobi Serena, Essence, and Stadion Hotels. Expertise in food and beverage service for banquets and events at Herbs and Spices restaurant. Fine dining experience at Mandhari Restaurant. Beverage knowledge enhanced at Aksum bar in Nairobi Serena. Committed to continuous learning and professionalism, bringing versatility to any position within the hotel/restaurant industry to drive customer satisfaction, revenue growth, and enhance the hotel's reputation.
Trained in all upscale dining positions, including steward, food runner, back waiter and front waiter. Knowledgeable about wine pairings, mixed drinks and bar service. Conversational skills in English and Swahili.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Fine Dining Server
Nairobi Serena Hotel
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
07.2022 - Current
- Ensured accurate billing and efficient payment processing, maintaining restaurant's reputation for reliability.
- Recommended wine pairings for guests' meals, leading to increased wine sales and guest satisfaction.
- Implemented feedback from guest surveys to refine service approaches, resulting in higher repeat visitation rates.
- Provided training to new servers, improving team efficiency and consistency in service quality.
- Enhanced team morale and cooperation through participation in staff meetings and sharing constructive feedback.
- Skillfully juggled multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining calm under pressure during busy shifts.
- Upheld strict cleanliness standards, adhering to food safety guidelines and maintaining immaculate dining area.
- Collaborated with culinary team to design special menus for holidays and events, enhancing guest dining experience.
- Coordinated with event planners on special occasions to ensure seamless service for large groups and parties.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing exceptional fine dining service and anticipating guests'' needs.
- Adhered to all company policies and procedures while consistently delivering high-quality service experiences for every guest interaction.
- Fostered a welcoming atmosphere by greeting each guest warmly upon arrival and thanking them genuinely upon departure.
- Learned and utilized extensive bar and wine knowledge to enhance guest dining experiences.
- Suggested wine pairings to go with specific menu items.
- Facilitated smooth dining experience during peak hours by efficiently managing multiple tables and guest requests.
- Assisted in maintaining inventory levels, ensuring adequate stock for optimal restaurant operations.
- Contributed to team effort by assisting colleagues when needed, displaying strong teamwork abilities within server community.
- Actively participated in staff meetings and training sessions to stay current on industry trends, elevating overall fine dining experience for guests.
- Resolved guest complaints with empathy and professionalism, restoring guest satisfaction and loyalty.
- Trained in extensive wine knowledge that made me sommelier.
- Trained new servers on fine dining etiquette and company standards, improving overall team performance.
- Supported needs of 10- person wait staff who attended to specific needs of countless customers daily for Mandhari restaurant with social relevancy and intentionality.
Banquet Waiter
Nairobi Serena Hotel
05.2020 - 07.2022
- Banqueting waiter
- Team leader
- Banquet setups, service and Outside catering
- Banqueting barman
- Ala carte service at the Herbs and Spices Restaurant (Anglo Asian cuisine)
- Fostered enjoyable event atmosphere through friendly guest interactions
- Contributed to successful events by setting up tables, buffets, and beverage stations according to established standards.
- Delivered exceptional dining experiences for guests through expert knowledge of menu offerings and wine pairings.
- Presented food and beverages on buffet tables and drink stations in line with formality and specifications of each event.
- Served appetizers, delivered entrees, and refilled beverages for banquet guests.
- Folded napkins and prepared silverware sets to provide adequate supply for host station.
Barman/Waiter/Supervisor
Essence Hotel
03.2022 - 05.2022
- Staff allocation and Supervision
- Shift leader/captain
- Event and conferences booking and planning
- Stock taking and budget control
- Drink distribution and requisition
- Cocktail making
- Bartending and service
- Ala carte service
- Welcoming guests and taking on their feedback
- Supported management in the planning and execution of promotional events to attract new customers.
- Continuously improved personal bartending skills through experimentation with new recipes, techniques, and flavor combinations.
- Assisted in training new staff members on bar operations, procedures, and customer service standards.
- Maintained proper inventory levels by conducting regular stock checks and placing timely orders.
- Recruited and trained new bartenders and barbacks to help maintain talented team.
- Reduced losses by monitoring and managing bar inventory with software.
- Developed loyal clientele with excellent interpersonal skills, attentive listening, and personalized service.
- Enhanced bar atmosphere with careful attention to cleanliness and organization of workspaces.
Food and Beverage Service personnel
Stadion Hotel
03.2020 - 03.2021
- Company Overview: Sports Kenya Kasarani stadium
- Bar tending
- Food and Beverage Service
- Table and Buffet setups
- Shift Leader/captain
- Conferences rooms and Event setups
- Sports Kenya Kasarani stadium
Food and Beverage Service personnel
Utalii Hotel
12.2019 - 03.2020
- Bartending
- Stock taking of drinks and beverage distribution
- Shift Leader/captain
- Breakfast buffet setup and service
- Outside catering
Sales Personnel and Computer Technician
Mainstreet Entertainment
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
12.2018 - 08.2019
- Sales Manager
- Customer Service
- Computer Technician
- General Cleaning
- Budget and Stock taking and planning
- Performed troubleshooting to correct computer hardware and software malfunctions.
- Conducted thorough testing of newly-installed hardware components to ensure compatibility with existing systems.
- Tested and installed motherboards, processors, and graphics cards on desktops and laptops for corporate staff.
- Performed installation, maintenance and repair for complex internal computer hardware and various software applications.
- Enhanced system performance by conducting regular software and hardware updates.
- Collaborated with team members to troubleshoot complex technical issues, resulting in faster resolution times.
- Set up and maintained user accounts and client access.
Education
Certificate of Banqueting Operation Techniques -
The Kenya Utalii College
Nairobi, 30 09.2019 - 11.2019
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined
The Newlight Academy
01.2014 - 01.2018
Skills
Computer Knowledge
Personal grooming standards
Event Planning ,Management and Outside Catering
Fine dining experience
Exceptional customer service
Cash handling proficiency
Bottle service
Team building
Problem-solving aptitude
Professionalism
Fine-dining expertise
Wine Knowledge
Wine service
Safe alcohol service
Liquor, wine, and food service
Preparation of cocktails – International & Signature cocktails
Accomplishments
- Improved the signature cocktail of Utalii Hotel and increased the sale of the cocktail by 25%.
- Came up with an idea at Mainstreet entertainment that led to the expansion of the business and hence increased the business revenue by 45%.
- Chosen as the group leader of our class during the 2019 graduation ceremony, leading to saving time of preparation and work allocation.
- Achieved Bartending / managing skills at my internship periods at Utalii Hotel.
- Achieved leadership skills at the Kenya Utalii College, Utalii Hotel and in my secondary school period.
- Achieved banqueting skills at the Utalii Hotel by participation in back to back events and conferences set up and planning.
- Attained outside catering experience, menu planning and setting of different conferences and social table setups.
- Attained customer care skills during my 3 months spell at the Utalii Hotel.
Personal Information
- Gender: Male
- Marital Status: Single
Beverageknowledge
- Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic drinks service
- Categories of Alcoholic drinks
- Drinks requisition and distribution
- Stock taking
- Cocktails & Mocktails
- Preparation of cocktails – International & Signature cocktails
References
- Junia Okubasu, Food and Bevarage Manger at Nairobi Serena
- Shareen Mburia ,Manager at Madhari fine dining resturant Nairobi Serena
- Leonard Kirigha, Duty Manager at Utalii Hotel, P.O BOX 31067, Nairobi, Nairobi, 00600, Ikirigha@utalii.co.ke, 0721 869252
- Ann Maruta, Former Lecturer and the Food & Beverage Manager at Utalii Hotel, P.O BOX 31067, Nairobi, Nairobi, 00600, 0726 866 977
- Raphael Nzioki, Supervisor/Food and Beverage Manager, Sports Kenya, Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, 0722267201
Training
Web hosting and Online marketing, Global Internet Fortunes, January of 2019
Additional Information
Completed bar training with grants and sons distilaries held at Nairobi Serena Hotel earning myself a certificate.
Served as a somelier at the Chaine des Rotisseurs dinner and also earned a certificate of service.
Interests
Business growth and entreprenual skills
Timeline
Fine Dining Server
Nairobi Serena Hotel
07.2022 - Current
Barman/Waiter/Supervisor
Essence Hotel
03.2022 - 05.2022
Banquet Waiter
Nairobi Serena Hotel
05.2020 - 07.2022
Food and Beverage Service personnel
Stadion Hotel
03.2020 - 03.2021
Food and Beverage Service personnel
Utalii Hotel
12.2019 - 03.2020
Certificate of Banqueting Operation Techniques -
The Kenya Utalii College
09.2019 - 11.2019
Sales Personnel and Computer Technician
Mainstreet Entertainment
12.2018 - 08.2019
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined
The Newlight Academy
01.2014 - 01.2018
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