Catherine Sesler

Lead Trainer @Adalina

HospitalityResearcherLife Coaching🧨 Consulting🎥 EntertainmentScreenwriter🧮 EducationLecturerEditorCopywriterSoft Skills Trainer

Overhauled a busy restaurant's training program to include streamlined and direct goals and milestones, with clearly defined parameters and standards. Developed new educational materials. Responsible for implementing continuing education programs and overseeing day-to-day training scheduling and feedback. Over a decade and a half of experience in the food and beverage industry covering multiple roles from host to manager, with the most recent certification being Sommelier. Specializes in working within a team to identify specific problems and develop coordinated solutions with measurable impact. Experienced with opening new businesses/ventures and familiar with the targeted and time-sensitive problem solving required in systematizing such an enterprise. Additional professional experience with writing and copy-writing (screenwriting, creative, creative non-fiction), and editing (real estate memorandums and PPMs, promotional brochures).

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Work Background

AdalinaLead Trainer/Server/Cellar Assistant

Jun. 2021Chicago, Illinois, United StatesServer in a fast-paced, high-volume, upscale restaurant Overhauled training program: creating all-new materials and systems, overseeing day-to-day implementation, coordinating between departments, and directing continuing education classrooms Working in the cellar: receiving, invoicing, creating and managing BINs; training to assist as a floor sommelier

FreelanceGrant Researcher

Oct. 2020 - Dec. 2020Chicago, Illinois, United States• Conducted research to identify grant opportunities & created report including 40+ recommendations; familiarity with Candid search engine

Found Kitchen & Social HouseShift Manager / Server

May. 2019 - Jul. 2020Evanston, Illinois, United States• Implemented a formal side work and revised cutting system for brunch shifts that enabled cleaner and leaner scheduling and a smoother transition to the evening shift • Initiated a process for more in-depth whisky training for servers and reinforced host protocol for specific greeting/specialized menus to help boost whisky sales on themed evenings • Assisted in revising evening side work and systematizing documented table sections to ensure shifts were efficiently staffed and restaurant was optimally cleaned, stocked and functional • Responsible for maintaining sensitive assets, including: access to the safe, register and petty cash; collecting and reconciling cash from servers and register; locking/alarming the building at night • Liaised between staff and management, helping to pinpoint concerns and clarify policy • Evaluated new hires and current staff performance, assisting in devising and executing performance metric and exit plans as needed • Participated in weekly management meetings regarding maintenance, marketing, event planning, employee performance, budget, etc

Eddie V's Prime SeafoodPilot Host / Server

Jun. 2014 - Oct. 2019Chicago, Illinois, United States• Assisted in implementing/refining a revised system for taking orders for private dining resulting in quicker service, smoother transitions between courses, less service errors, and improved communication between back and front of house • Reorganized storage system to improve function of lost and found, coat check, and general inventory, creating a smoother guest experience and less redundancy in orders for replacement menus and office supplies • Assisted in refining reservation protocols during busy conference weeks by effectively utilizing and manipulating Open Table software to better pace the evening, leading to tighter staffing, increased reservations and a much smoother guest experience (which ultimately saved revenue due to decreased comps) • Performed general secretarial/front desk duties, including: answering phones, handling reservations, light inventory, facilitating management requests (schedule call-backs, errands, etc) and enhancing guest experience

Mama Milano’s Pizza BarBartender / Server

Apr. 2015 - Jan. 2019Chicago, Illinois, United States• Assisted in developing side work duties, reorganizing dry goods storage and mapping out server stations, thus creating a more streamlined operating protocol, inventory system and standardized training procedures • Responsible for sensitive assets, including: access to register, opening and locking up the building, inventorying wine, disbursing checks to vendors, and filing invoices • Revamped wine program, improving selection of varietals and instructing servers on verbiage to promote sales, resulting in more bottle sales and less waste

Waypoint Real Estate InvestmentsEditor

Mar. 2015 - Sep. 2016Chicago, Illinois, United States• Coordinated & systematized changes in language, style and formatting across multiple departments to elevate & streamline the presentation of Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs) to investors

N/ANanny

Feb. 2012 - Jun. 2014Chicago, Illinois, United States• Coordinated activities to meet each child’s needs including meals, entertainment, naps, transportation, etc. • Communicated with parents regarding emotional & physical development; collaborated to address concerns

The Jefferson Educational SocietyGrant Writer / Intern

Jun. 2013 - Jul. 2013Erie, Pennsylvania, United States• Created template for applications to expedite submission process; resulted in increase of submitted grants

Goodman TheatreIntern and Overhire

Jan. 2012 - Jun. 2013Chicago, Illinois, United States• Reorganized & categorized 2 major properties storage spaces, creating a uniform system and less redundancy • Collaborated on multiple projects to research, acquire & create props used in 10+ productions Shows: Red, Race, The Convert, Camino Real, Fish Men, The Iceman Cometh, Crowns, Sweet Bird of Youth, Measure for Measure, The Jungle Book

AlimentariBartender / Server

Feb. 2012 - Oct. 2012Chicago, Illinois, United States• Helped open new restaurant, assisting in developing side work and serving protocol • Identified significant loss in bar inventory due to outdated tracking/ordering system at after-hours parties; assisted in implementing a new order system to mitigate loss

Nickel Plate MillsSales Specialist

Jun. 2005 - Nov. 2011Erie, Pennsylvania, United States• Assisted in digitizing accounting system using Quickbooks; completed all data entry of past records and generated invoices for accounts receivable • Reorganized and cleaned 100+ year old warehouse, creating more usable space and functional storage • Responsible for general upkeep of store/greenhouse’s appearance and cleanliness, yearly inventory, keeping shelves stocked, assisting customers, creating displays, running register – daily function largely self-directed

Sesler and SeslerSecretary / Runner

Jun. 2004 - Aug. 2005Erie, Pennsylvania, United States• Runner (summer 2004): responsible for delivering court house documents, bank deposits, and updating law library • Secretary (summer 2005): assisted with typing documents, filing, taking dictation, answering and directing calls, updating schedules

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