Dynamic Bartender with 16+ Years of Experience
Resume:
Maria Joanna Leventis
Fine Dining Restaurants/ Server/ Head Bartender/ Bartender for Universal Studios/ Bartender at Houstons (now called Hillstone)Manager Training I also worked for Universal Studios Orlando Freelance Writer and Editor
Columbia, SC 29209
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Professional Summary
Efficient and customer-focused bartender, expo, and server with an average of 16 years of experience in many areas of the service industry, specializing in high-volume environments. Worked 8 years in Orlando night clubs: Firestone, Icon, UV, Blue Room and Cairo. Proven ability to enhance customer satisfaction through exceptional service, efficiency and cocktail expertise. Bartended for total of 12 years. Skilled in cash handling, food safety, and time management, consistently delivering quality experiences in fast-paced settings. Seeking to leverage extensive bartending and customer service skills to contribute to a dynamic team in the service industry. Food runner for Houston Restaurant during peak times for lunch and dinner. Served and Bartended for five years of experience in organizing expo area, preparation for lunch and/or dinner. I enjoy making others experiences a time that's memorable in the most postive way. Social interactions with all walks of life is also why I love Bartending. I have a certificate in an alcohol compliance.
Willing to relocate to: Sumter, SC - Lexington, SC - Columbia Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Work Experience
Bartender
Aramark The University of South Carolina Athletics-Columbia, SC August 2025 to Present
Bartender and servers
Various Night Clubs-Columbia, SC
May 1996 to September 2006
• Created my own drink that was added to the drink menu.
• Mixing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks serving them to guests. Following standard recipes and maintaining knowledge of the drink menu.
• Assisted in inventory management by monitoring ingredient levels and notifying supervisors when supplies were running low
• Collaborated with quality assurance team to conduct regular product testing for consistency and adherence to specifications
• Maintained a clean work area at all times, adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Bartending is one of the most fun and memorable moments of my life. I enjoyed meeting people and bonding over drinks engaging in light conversation. Creating an atmosphere that is a positive memorable experience.
• I loved being front line of the service industry, preparing drinks, entertaining guests and following the general five P's of Bartending.
• Passion, precision, personality, professionalism, and presentation Server/Bartender and worked as a Barrister for Brunch Houstons (now called Hillstone)-Winter Park, FL
May 2001 to September 2003
Restaurant Service Bar
Front of house main bartender
Food Runner
Expo and made sure station stayed neat and organized during peak hours throughout lunch and dinner. Learn to run the Espresso machine
Creative Editor
Universal Studios Orlando-Orlando, FL
April 2002 to August 2003
• Adhered to project deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards of work
• Edited and proofread written material to ensure accuracy in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style
• Cultivated a strong understanding of target audiences to tailor content accordingly
• Demonstrated versatility by adapting writing style based on the intended audience or platform
• Generated creative ideas for storytelling techniques, plot development, character arcs, etc
• Served as an editor for other writers' work providing constructive feedback on structure, clarity, tone etc
• Wrote scripts for video productions including commercials or promotional videos
• Edited and proofread written material to ensure accuracy in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style
• Cultivated a strong understanding of target audiences to tailor content accordingly
• Demonstrated versatility by adapting writing style based on the intended audience or platform
• Generated creative ideas for storytelling techniques, plot development, character arcs, etc
• Pioneered new concepts or approaches in storytelling that resulted in increased reader engagement or viral content sharing
• Served as an editor for other writers' work providing constructive feedback on structure, clarity, tone etc
• Incorporated storytelling elements into marketing campaigns resulting in increased customer engagement
Education
Creative Writing (Masters in Fine Arts)
University of Central Florida-Orlando, FL
August 2000 to May 2003
• Worked for Universal Studios as an editor for the script with a team of writers on Spiderman III with Tobey Maguire as Spider Man
• Bartended for Universal Studios
• Bartended for Houstons of Winter Park, Florida
Bartending is a exciting way to positively involve oneself in the community by crafting and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to guests visiting the restaurant, we also manage the bar area, and interact with customers to ensure a positive experience. Bartenders, we also contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere, promoting menu items, and managing inventory. Worked in many of the down town night clubs in Orlando. Firestone Night Club, Icon, and Ultra Violet or UV I have ten years of experience.
English (BA)
University of Central Florida-Orlando, FL
August 1996 to May 2003
1. Had many short stories published and poems published during the end of my BA studies; which is why I chose to seek out an MFA in Creative Writing.
2. Worked my way throughout college loving my bartending jobs. I was able to socialize and making sure guests enjoyed their visit from beginning to the end. Skills
• Restaurant management (3 years)
• Sales (8 years)
• Microsoft Office (10+ years)
• Teaching
• Bartending
• Order entry
• Interviewing
• Restaurant experience
• Live chat
• Time management
• Public health
• Organizational skills
• Expediting (5 years)
• Credit card payment processing
• Food preparation
• Cocktail experience
• Journalism
• Management
• Banquet experience
• Customer service
• Stocking
• Social media management
• Craft beer experience
• Culinary experience
• Spirits experience
• Inventory control
• Food service (5 years)
• Communication skills
• Food safety management
• Kitchen management
• Perfection
• Kitchen experience (8 years)
• Instructor
• Computer skills
• Bar cleaning
• Barista experience (2 years)
• Cash handling
• Professionalism
• Wine knowledge
• Beer knowledge
• Serving at Flippers of Orlando ran food to tables.
• Food Expo, keen eye and organization skills for food running
• Order fulfillment
• POS systems
• Food service management
• Food safety
• Upselling
• POS
• Computer literacy
• Basic math
• Administrative experience
• FDA regulations
• Content writing
• Serving
• Bar management
• Leadership
• Hospitality
• Processing cash transactions
• Beverage preparation
Languages
• Greek and Spanish - Intermediate
• English
Certifications and Licenses
Alcohol compliance certificate
August 2025 to August 2028
Was taught all of the responsibilities and laws to abide by to be able to serve alcohol. Checking on I.D.s that are accepted as legal in the state of SC
Driver's License
ABV
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