Natayia Williams
Chicago
Summary
Versatile and customer service-oriented hospitality professional with 10+ years’ hands-on experience in food and beverage service field. Consistently demonstrated an extreme level of genuine hospitality and delivered an exceptional dining experience to guests. Builds strong rapport with patrons to ensure recurring business. Understanding of various food and beverage ingredients.
Experienced in fast-paced environments and adaptable to last-minute changes. Thrives under pressure and consistently earns high marks for work quality and speed.
Meticulous Banquet Captain offering strong background in staff leadership and banquet event logistics. Focused and ambitious with years of demonstrated success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Banquet Captain/Special Events Bartender
Maggiano's Little Italy
Chicago
11.2018 - Current
- Consistently achieved the highest guest check averages among all full-time servers through suggestive selling and dessert-to-go orders.
- Wine and craft beer service, strong working knowledge of all beverages.
- Prepare final bill, present check to guest, accept payment, process credit card charges or make change.
- Make recommendations you genuinely feel your guests will enjoy.
- Significantly increased guest check averages by promoting appetizers, specialty items, and wine selections.
- Informally recognized as Lead Server with responsibility for overseeing opening / closing and coaching and mentoring new servers regarding menu items, company policies and procedures.
- Supervised banquet staff during events to ensure smooth operations.
- Trained new employees on service standards and procedures.
- Managed event setups, including seating arrangements and décor placement.
- Resolved guest issues promptly to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated closely with catering managers on upcoming events and their needs.
- Followed safety procedures when handling hazardous materials such as cleaning chemicals.
- Prepared weekly reports detailing event information such as number of guests served or revenue generated.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with vendors and suppliers for event needs.
Bartender/Server Trainer
Lou Malnatis Pizza, Oak Park
Oak Park
03.2014 - 10.2018
- Deliver friendly and efficient service to ensure a pleasant dining experience for all guests suggesting menu items and preparing specialty drinks according to corporate specifications.
- Fostered repeat business and a clientele of regular bar patrons.
- Top performer in monthly specialty beverage sales competition.
- Trained new servers on menu knowledge and steps of quality service.
Server
Eggs Inc, Gold Coast
Gold Coast
10.2016 - 04.2017
- Assisted guests with making menu choices in an informative and helpful fashion.
- Completed side work such as refilling condiments shaking and sorting linen hanging drapes cleaning/storing serving equipment and props.
- Appropriately suggested additional items to customers to increase restaurant sales.
- Frequently assisted colleagues during rush periods to foster / promote teamwork while providing exceptional service and guest dining experience.
Server
Wienbrie, Oak Park
Oak Park
10.2015 - 01.2016
- Adapted to different computer systems and programs.
- Management of time to ensure professional dining experience.
- Reconciled cash register at the beginning and end of day to verify revenue sales.
- Collaborated in creating attractive front-of-house displays to market new products.
Education
Culinary Arts Diploma -
Westinghouse CA
Chicago, ILSkills
- Excellent customer service skills
- Count money and change correctly
- Maintain health department standards and regulations
- Cleanliness of restaurant
- Familiar with Food and Wine Pairings
- Customer service-oriented
- Organized
- Time management
- Team player
- Beverage service
- Guest relations
- Payment processing
- Vendor coordination
- Report preparation
- Safety compliance
- Team training
- Service standards
- Team management
- Food sanitation regulations
- Corporate event coordination
Certification
- Basset Certificate, 06/01/25
- Illinois Food Handlers Certificate, 03/01/25
- SafeServ Certified
Timeline
Banquet Captain/Special Events Bartender
Maggiano's Little Italy
11.2018 - Current
Server
Eggs Inc, Gold Coast
10.2016 - 04.2017
Server
Wienbrie, Oak Park
10.2015 - 01.2016
Bartender/Server Trainer
Lou Malnatis Pizza, Oak Park
03.2014 - 10.2018
Culinary Arts Diploma -
Westinghouse CA