Seasoned Fine-Dining Front-of-House Leader
Resume:
CHRISTIAN GASTON
Silver Spring, MD 20902
********@*****.***
Experienced Front of the House Restaurant Professional with over 25 years of excellence in fine dining. Skilled in training and supervising service staff, Food & Beverage, Sommelier, Fine Dining Service, Wine List Consulting, Hospitality Management. Strong operations professional with a French Bachelor in Hospitality (BTH) focused in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Hotel Business School Gérardmer, Lorraine, France.
KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Creating exceptional service: achieved highest customer service scores for five consecutive years with Michelin Star and Five Stars in the Forbes Travel Guide at Plume at the Jefferson.
Identifying talent, training, mentoring, and staff development: I trained employees; mentored hourly employees who became restaurant managers, head waiters, sommeliers, catering supervisors.
Michelin Star Dining Experience - Private Dining – Catering & Event Planning – Event Management – Sommelier - Staff Training & Development – Menu Development – Administration – Human Resources – Worker Safety
Professional Experience
Bistro L’Hermitage, Woodbridge, Virginia, USA 07/2020-Present
Restaurant Service Manager/ Sommelier.
Responsible for creating memorable guest experience, ordering wine and beverages, training, creating new wine list and responsible for customer service.
Bistro L’Hermitage is rated 4.9/5 and Top 100 Best Restaurants in the country on Open Table.
Plume at the Jefferson, Washington, DC, USA 07/2009–03/2020
Head Captain/ Supervisor/Sommelier.
As captain server, I made sure that the dining room was set up for success, and maintained customer service standards.
Ultimately, I ensured the highest standards of service at this premier Washington, DC fine dining establishment.
Plume is rated One Michelin Star and Five Stars in the Forbes Travel Guide.
WestEnd Bistro by Eric Ripert at the Ritz Carlton, Washington, DC, USA 11/2007-05/2009
Captain.
As captain server, I ensured staff followed Ritz Carlton standards, that the dining room was set up for success, and maintained customer service standards.
Maestro Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner, VA, USA 01/2006-10/2007
Head Captain/ Assistant Sommelier.
I ensured that the staff followed Ritz Carlton standards, that the dining room was set up for success, and maintained customer service standards. Supported sommelier in establishing a 1100-label wine list, with tasting, purchasing, and inventory. Chef Fabio Trabocchi was running the kitchen.
Maestro was rated 4/5 by the Washington Post.
Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington, DC, USA 2005-2006
Wine Director.
Responsible for overseeing the overall beverage program for the outlets of the hotel, as well as the content and inventory controls of the wine program.
Henri Wine Group, Washington, DC, USA 2004-2005
Fine Wine Sales Specialist.
I organized wine tastings and selected wines for my hotel and restaurant customers that fit the preference and palette of their guests.
Obelisk Italian Restaurant, Washington, DC, USA 2000-2004
Restaurant Manager/ Sommelier.
I was in charge of an all-Italian wine list, with tasting, purchasing, and inventory. Ensured incoming staff complied with company policy, were trained in restaurant procedures, maintained safety and food quality standards, kept customers happy and managed complaints. Also maintained schedules and kept track of employees' hours, ordered food, linens, gloves and other supplies while staying within budget limitations.
St. Regis Hotel Washington DC, USA 1997-2000
Captain.
I made sure the dining room was set up for success, maintained customer service standards, during service, I recommended food and wine, took order, anticipated guests needs.
Lavandou Restaurant, Washington DC, USA 1993-1997
Service Manager/ Sommelier.
Responsible for the dining room, training 4 staff members and wine program.
Education & Training
Bachelor’s Degree (BA) Program in Hospitality Management ~ Lycee Hôtelier, Gérardmer Lorraine, France.
Brevet d’Enseignement Professionel Cuisine ~ Lycee Hôtelier, Gérardmer Lorraine, France.
Certificat d’Aptitude Professionel Vins et Service ~ Lycee Hôtelier, Gérardmer Lorraine, France.
French-US Dual National, Fluent in French and English.
French Sommelier.
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