Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
LANGUAGES
Timeline
References
Hobbies and Interests
Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer
Bartender
Samuel Mbugua Waikwaine

Samuel Mbugua Waikwaine

Ruaka

Summary

Professional hospitality expert with proven skills in mixing and serving beverages, managing bar inventory, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability, and achieving high-quality results. Skilled in providing exceptional service, handling high-pressure situations, and maintaining clean and organized workspace. Known for reliability, flexibility, and creating positive experiences for patrons.

Proven ability to enhance guest experiences and contribute to the overall success of the establishment.

Trained by tipsy online hospitality school, Diegeo bar academy, shaker bar academy, several wine farms onsite training, coffee planet, Dubai, Spring valley coffee Nairobi.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Bartender

J.W Marriot Hotel
06.2025 - Current
  • Crafting signature cocktails and mocktails that showcased creativity and innovation, attracting both hotel guests and local patrons to the bar.
  • Implemented new drink menus based on seasonal trends, increasing customer engagement and sales.
  • Successfully managed high-pressure situations during peak hours, maintaining a calm and professional demeanor to provide exceptional service.
  • Uphold the hotel's reputation for excellence by consistently upholding the highest standards of presentation and customer satisfaction.
  • Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
  • Decreased waste, following strict recipes and drink measurement protocol.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.

Bartender

Sankara Nairobi, Autograph Collection
11.2023 - 05.2025
  • Crafted signature cocktails and mocktails that showcased creativity and innovation, attracting both hotel guests and local patrons to the bar.
  • Successfully managed high-pressure situations during peak hours, maintaining a calm and professional demeanor to provide exceptional service.
  • Uphold the hotel's reputation for excellence by consistently upholding the highest standards of presentation and customer satisfaction.
  • Collaborated with the hotel's event planners to design custom drink menus for weddings, corporate gatherings, and private parties, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.
  • Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
  • Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
  • Decreased waste, following strict recipes and drink measurement protocol.

Bartender/Mixologist

Radisson Red
02.2022 - 04.2023
  • Crafted signature cocktails and beverages, enhancing guest satisfaction and experience.
  • Trained junior bartenders on techniques, recipes, and operational standards for consistency.
  • Managed inventory levels, ensuring optimal stock and minimizing waste through efficient ordering processes.
  • Monitored bar cleanliness and compliance with health regulations, maintaining a safe environment for guests and staff.
  • Collaborated with kitchen staff to pair beverages with menu items, enhancing dining experiences for guests.
  • Developed strong relationships with repeat customers, fostering loyalty and encouraging return visits to the hotel bar.
  • Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.

Lead Bartender

The Bungalow
12.2016 - 06.2021
  • Developed and implemented innovative cocktail recipes, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement.
  • Trained and mentored junior bartenders, fostering a collaborative team environment.
  • Supervised bar operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Collaborated with management on promotional events, increasing bar revenue during peak times.
  • Resolved customer complaints promptly, maintaining high service standards and positive experiences.
  • Trained new bartenders on company policies, drink recipes, and customer service best practices to maintain consistent performance across the team.
  • Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally, preserving positive relationships between the business and its clientele.

Lead Bartender

Grand Africa Cafe & Beach
12.2011 - 12.2016
  • Supervised daily bar operations, ensuring high-quality service and adherence to safety standards.
  • Trained and mentored junior bartenders on mixology techniques and customer engagement strategies.
  • Created innovative cocktail menus, enhancing guest experience and increasing repeat business.
  • Managed inventory control, optimizing stock levels to minimize waste and reduce costs.
  • Implemented efficient workflow processes, improving service speed during peak hours.
  • Kept detailed inventories and notified management of ordering needs for liquor, beer, wine, and bar supplies.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and crafting high-quality beverages.

Education

Mixlogy And Bar Operation - Bartending

Diageo Bar Academy, Cape Town
Cape Town
09-2017

Mixlogy And Bar Operation - Bartending

Shaker Bar Academy
Cape Town, South Africa
10-2013

Hospitality Management - Hospitality Management

Tipsy Online Hospitality School
Online School
02-2023

Coffee - Barista

Spring Valley Coffee
Nairobi, Kenya
05-2025

Sales And Marketing

Khusela Cape Town
Cape Town
08.2020

High School Diploma -

Illasit Secondary School
Kajiado, Kajiado District, Kenya
11.2007

Barista Advance Skills - Barista

Coffee Planet,
Dubai United Arab Emirates
01-2023

Skills

  • Mixology and Beverage Creation

  • Customer Service Excellence

  • Team Leadership and Training

  • Drink Presentation and Garnishing

  • Sous vide machines use

  • Pre-opening

  • Centrifuge machines use

  • Strong multitasking

  • Complex Problem-solving

  • Engaging personality

  • Cleanliness and hygiene

  • Service-oriented mindset

Accomplishments

  • Participated at world class cocktail competition at Western Cape, south Africa
  • Chosen to be part of 3 days be the botanist experience in South Africa.
  • Numerous time chosen best Barman of the year at kove collection, Cape Town
  • Numerously chosen Rock star of the month at Radisson Red Award program
  • Trained with Mixologist Agung Prabowo
  • Trained with modern bar equipment Sous vide machines and Centrifuge machines use

LANGUAGES

English
Native or Bilingual
Swahili
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Bartender

J.W Marriot Hotel
06.2025 - Current

Bartender

Sankara Nairobi, Autograph Collection
11.2023 - 05.2025

Bartender/Mixologist

Radisson Red
02.2022 - 04.2023

Lead Bartender

The Bungalow
12.2016 - 06.2021

Lead Bartender

Grand Africa Cafe & Beach
12.2011 - 12.2016

Mixlogy And Bar Operation - Bartending

Diageo Bar Academy, Cape Town

Mixlogy And Bar Operation - Bartending

Shaker Bar Academy

Hospitality Management - Hospitality Management

Tipsy Online Hospitality School

Coffee - Barista

Spring Valley Coffee

Sales And Marketing

Khusela Cape Town

High School Diploma -

Illasit Secondary School

Barista Advance Skills - Barista

Coffee Planet,

References

J w Marriott Hotel, Nairobi, Westland Kenya

Dennisnjoro@yahoo.com

Dennis Gitau

Manager

‪+254717357683


Sankara autograph collection, Nairobi, Westland Kenya

dollyokoth@gmail.com

Dolphine Okoth

Manager

‪+254726936533


Radisson Red Dubai silicon Oasis

karthika.anil@radissonred.com

Kathika anil

H.R Manager

‪+97145714343


Hobbies and Interests

Even though my school days are long over I love mystery novel, self-awareness book, tech novel and a bit of romantic novel

Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer

I love activities since work without play made jack a dull boy 

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Samuel Mbugua Waikwaine