John Todd Coates
Cornelius,NC
Summary
Adaptable and enterprising Senior Manager with 25 years of experience in fine dining food service with proven expertise in building and leading successful teams. Well-rounded leader with talent for supervising employees, ensuring guest satisfaction, and extensive food and wine knowledge. Talented problem-solver ready to back up fellow employees at any time.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager
North Italia
11.2021 - Current
- Managed all aspects of daily operations, including managing budgets, inventory control, and vendor relations.
- Helped guide both FOH and BOH teams to achieve labor, food cost, and sales targets.
- Completed Level 1 Sommelier certificate with the Court of Master Sommeliers
- Mentored junior staff members for skill development and career progression within the organization.
- Effectively managed labor costs by monitoring productivity levels among staff members and making strategic scheduling decisions.
- Verified accurate records and sufficient supplies by conducting regular inventories of food, beverages, glassware and other materials.
General Manager
Rocksalt
08.2020 - 10.2021
- Rebooted an underperforming restaurant coming out of lockdown.
- In an extremely challenging time for the restaurant industry, increased quality of food and service.
- Raised yearly OpenTable rating to 89.4 from 5 year average of 70.2.
- Wrote multiple COVID related grant applications, resulting in being awarded 45k in much needed operating funds.
Waiter
Peppervine
05.2019 - 08.2020
- Applied extensive knowledge of food, wine, and timing in a high end, chef driven, small plates environment to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
Waiter
Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse
03.2018 - 02.2019
- Achieved monthly sales goals by using successful strategies to promote specials, desserts and alcoholic beverages.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business.
- Stayed up-to-date on menu changes to help customers make food choices.
Head Waiter
Lumiere
05.2014 - 03.2018
- Provided superior hospitality to guests in a fine dining French restaurant.
- Assigned work tasks and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide prompt and successful service to patrons.
- Supervised server staff and simultaneously served personal section of tables.
Waiter
Roosters Southpark
05.2012 - 05.2014
- Increased knowledge of charcuterie and smoking techniques.
- Trained in sous vide cooking techniques using an immersion circulator.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
General Manager
Basil Thai Cuisine
02.2009 - 04.2010
- Worked with POS vendor to install, design, test, and train staff on Micros POS
- Orchestrated positive customer experiences by overseeing every area of restaurant operations
- Used recipes to create semi automated inventory and ordering system
- Oversaw balancing of cash registers, reconciled transactions and deposited establishment's earnings to bank
- Identified problems, conducted troubleshooting and sought repair or maintenance support to keep restaurant equipment operational
- Verified accurate records and sufficient supplies by conducting monthly inventories of food, beverages, glassware and other materials.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Met, greeted and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
Waiter/Restaurant Floor Manager
Oceanaire Seafood Room
05.2006 - 02.2009
- Established superior seafood knowledge
- Supervised server staff and simultaneously served personal section of tables.
- Coached employees on salesmanship and updated menus to increase sales.
Waiter
Bonterra
05.2000 - 07.2005
- Vastly increased overall wine knowledge with 200 wines by the glass.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business.
Waiter
The Capital Grille
04.1998 - 06.2000
- Achieved monthly sales goals by using successful strategies to promote specials, desserts and alcoholic beverages.
- Increased knowledge of different cuts of beef and wet/dry aging techniques.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine to achieve highest average wine sales per customer.
Waiter
Marais
06.1994 - 07.1998
- Helped owners with no prior restaurant experience to open a French fine dining establishment.
- Intimately involved in all aspects of front of the house planning and day-to-day operations.
- Responsible for creation and construction of wine lists and new menus
- Increased knowledge base in the area of fine European wines.
Waiter
Tower Club
08.1990 - 05.1994
- Increased proficiency in preparing items such as Steak Diane, Bananas Foster, and Caesar Salad tableside.
- Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
- Exhibited expert knowledge of alcoholic beverage service standards, laws and regulations.
Education
High School Diploma -
Goose Creek High School
Goose Creek, SCAssociate of Science - Electronics/Nuclear Technology
Naval Nuclear Power School
Orlando, FLSkills
- Operational Efficiency
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Training and Onboarding
- Problem Solving
- Conflict Resolution
- Money Handling
- Managing Deliveries
- Menu Pricing and Writing
- POS Terminal Operation
Additional Information
My technical acumen, hospitality, market knowledge, and life experience combine to provide a skill set that will prove valuable to any successful F&B organization committed to guest satisfaction.
Timeline
Senior Manager
North Italia
11.2021 - Current
General Manager
Rocksalt
08.2020 - 10.2021
Waiter
Peppervine
05.2019 - 08.2020
Waiter
Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse
03.2018 - 02.2019
Head Waiter
Lumiere
05.2014 - 03.2018
Waiter
Roosters Southpark
05.2012 - 05.2014
General Manager
Basil Thai Cuisine
02.2009 - 04.2010
Waiter/Restaurant Floor Manager
Oceanaire Seafood Room
05.2006 - 02.2009
Waiter
Bonterra
05.2000 - 07.2005
Waiter
The Capital Grille
04.1998 - 06.2000
Waiter
Marais
06.1994 - 07.1998
Waiter
Tower Club
08.1990 - 05.1994
High School Diploma -
Goose Creek High School
Associate of Science - Electronics/Nuclear Technology
Naval Nuclear Power School
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