Executive Chef Catering Manager

WENDY GAY

Marietta, GA *********@*********.*** 770-***-****

LinkedIn: Wendy Gay

Professional Summary

Dynamic Executive Chef and Catering Manager with over 15+ years of experience delivering exceptional culinary and event management services. Skilled in client engagement, innovative menu development, and operational efficiency. Proven track record in increasing event profitability, enhancing customer satisfaction, and leading high-performing teams. Adept at orchestrating seamless events, from conceptualization to execution, ensuring memorable guest experiences.

Professional Experience

Executive Chef

Culinary Vacations Inc. – Marietta, GA

Sep 2014 – Present

Spearheaded culinary-focused tours in France, Spain, and Italy, emphasizing regional cuisine and wine education.

Developed marketing strategies that enhanced brand visibility and customer engagement across digital platforms.

Designed interactive cooking classes, integrating cultural immersion and hands-on learning.

Managed business planning, financial analyses, and pricing strategies to ensure sustainable operations.

Catering Manager

Capital City Country Club – Atlanta, GA

Jan 2024 – Sep 2024

Managed private event sales, menu planning, and room setups, ensuring flawless execution of events.

Created Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and facilitated staff communication through detailed daily logs and meetings.Supervised audiovisual and decor setup, providing hands-on support during events.

Fostered close relationships with club members, achieving a significant increase in customer satisfaction and retention.

Customer Service Associate

Total Wine and More, Dunwoody, GA May 2023 — Jan 2024

Engage with customers to provide personalized wine and beer recommendations, ensuring high-quality shopping experience. Merchandise diverse product offerings, maintaining visual appeal and accessibility for clients. Surpass monthly sales targets through customer engagement and product knowledge. Enhance store operations by restocking inventory and maintaining cleanliness and organization of sales areas.

●Consistently achieved and exceeded sales goals by employing strong knowledge of wine and beer selection.

Personal Cruise Consultant

Norwegian Cruise Line, Remote, Marietta, GA Oct 2022 — Mar 2023

Engaged in active prospecting using the Salesforce database to identify potential clients for cruise vacation packages. Provided thorough service to guests by detailing cruise itineraries and addressing inquiries. Managed and surpassed monthly sales targets through initiating selling techniques and customer engagement.

●Exceeded monthly sales goals by employing strategic sales approaches & maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

●Conducted average of 150 outbound calls daily to promote and secure cruise bookings.

Dining Service Manager

Lenbrook Senior Living – Atlanta, GA

Apr 2019 – Feb 2021

Directed dining service operations for a 500-resident upscale senior living community.

Developed staff schedules, led TIPS-Alcohol and ServSafe training, and maintained high service standards.

Optimized inventory management, including the procurement of liquor, beer, and wine to suit resident preferences.

Elevated resident satisfaction levels by enhancing dining experiences and service quality.

Events Coordinator

SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Atlanta, GA

Jan 2013 – Jan 2014

Coordinated all aspects of event logistics, from room configurations to catering services and audiovisual setups.

Streamlined communication between clients and service teams to ensure seamless execution.

Boosted repeat business through a commitment to exceptional customer satisfaction.

Additional Roles

Director of Catering, The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North – Atlanta, GA

Director of Catering & Sales, Pinetree Country Club – Kennesaw, GA

Adjunct Culinary Instructor, The Art Institute of Atlanta – Dunwoody, GA

Faculty, The Culinary Institute of America – Hyde Park, NY

Catering Manager, The Ritz-Carlton – Buckhead, Atlanta, GA

Education

Associate of Occupational Studies – Culinary Arts

Culinary Institute of America – Hyde Park, NY

Certificate – Professional Meeting Management

Bentley University – Waltham, MA

Bachelor’s Degree-Hotel and Restaurant Management

University of New Hampshire – Durham, NH

Additional Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, NorthStar, Delphi, Jonas, Social Tables Catering Software, Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Slides), Teams, Zoom. POS

Certifications: TIPS-Alcohol Service, ServSafe Certified

Areas of Expertise

Catering Operations Management

Event Planning & Execution

Menu Development & Customization

Sales & Marketing Strategies

Budgeting & Cost Control

Client Communication

Staff Training & Leadership

Logistic Support

On-Site Event Assistance

Administrative Duties

Strong Organizational and Time-Management Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Attention to detail and problem-solving abilities

Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively

Inventory Control

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