Eddie Valente
M: 404.290.1507
eddievalente@gmail.com
Summary:
A skilled hospitality veteran with strong guest service skills, experienced in motivating team members, implementing training programs and developing operational efficiencies through training and advanced IT applications.
Work History:
The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Atlanta, GA Oct-09 until Present
Pricci Restaurant, General Manager
Full operational responsibilities for upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant.
The Grape, Atlanta, GA Sep-06 until Oct-09
Vice President Operations & Training
Operational and training responsibilities for 16 Grape locations
The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Atlanta, GA May-99 until Aug-06
Director of Operations
Responsible for maintaining service standards and Front of House operations for Atlanta’s leading restaurant company with over $55 million in annual sales.
The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV Sep-98 until May-99
Director of Beverage
Oversee all beverage operations for America’s premier five star resort.
Inn at Spanish Head, Lincoln City, OR Apr-98 until Sep-98
Food & Beverage Director
Responsible for all Food & Beverage operations for 120 room condominium hotel.
Willamette Valley Vineyards, Turner, OR Aug-96 until Feb-98
Retail Sales Manager
Oversee all aspects of Retail Sales Department, including Tasting Room, Festivals, Off-site events, direct mail, and hospitality functions.
Salishan Lodge, Gleneden Beach, OR Apr-94 until Sep-96
Food & Beverage Director, Cellarmaster
Responsible for Food & Beverage operations including two restaurants, banquet department and lounge.
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Pano's & Paul's Restaurant, Atlanta, GA Feb-79 until Sep-93
Dining Room Manager
Supervise dining room and bar operations for a Mobil four star restaurant.
Organizations & Certifications:
ServeSafe® Certified, 2010
Aloha POS CDM Certification, 2007
Court of Master Sommeliers, Advanced Certificate Course & Diploma 1996
Oregon Restaurant Association, Regional Board of Directors, 1996
Share Our Strength, Taste of the Nation, Steering Committee-Wine Auction, 1993-94, 1999-2005
Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, Board of Directors, Baillage d'Atlanta, 1993-94
Atlanta International Wine Festival, Wine Judge 1982-1990
M: 404.290.1507
eddievalente@gmail.com
Summary:
A skilled hospitality veteran with strong guest service skills, experienced in motivating team members, implementing training programs and developing operational efficiencies through training and advanced IT applications.
Work History:
The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Atlanta, GA Oct-09 until Present
Pricci Restaurant, General Manager
Full operational responsibilities for upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant.
- P&L, cost controls and top line revenue
- Execute promotional and public relations programs
- Train and direct Private Dining Coordinator
- Staff hiring and training
- New management development and mentoring
- Repairs and maintenance
The Grape, Atlanta, GA Sep-06 until Oct-09
Vice President Operations & Training
Operational and training responsibilities for 16 Grape locations
- P&L responsibilities for four company owned stores.
- Execute new store openings from pre-opening management training to staff training.
- Develop management and staff training programs.
- Conduct store surveys and evaluations.
- Partner with suppliers to provide on-line wine academy
- Administer POS database and on-line enterprise system.
The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Atlanta, GA May-99 until Aug-06
Director of Operations
Responsible for maintaining service standards and Front of House operations for Atlanta’s leading restaurant company with over $55 million in annual sales.
- Conducted management training programs
- Developed Operations Manual for managers
- Directed training programs for staff.
- Project lead for proprietary reservation system from conception to RFP, Beta testing and implementation
- Executed POS conversion for eleven restaurants in four months.
- Implemented and managed mystery shopper program
- Part of opening team for nine restaurants
- Developed and installed Cellarminder database program
- Developed beverage programs for ten ‘Award of Excellence’ wine lists
- Conducted wine training for management and staff.
- Presented "Classy Cooking" series wine classes
The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV Sep-98 until May-99
Director of Beverage
Oversee all beverage operations for America’s premier five star resort.
- Wine and beverage selection, pricing, presentation.
- Selected and coordinated production of private label wines.
- Provide beverage training and testing to 20 service captains.
- Supervise dining rooms during meal hours
- Present wine tastings and seminars for guests.
- Develop and conduct wine presentations for "LaVarenne Cooking School"
Inn at Spanish Head, Lincoln City, OR Apr-98 until Sep-98
Food & Beverage Director
Responsible for all Food & Beverage operations for 120 room condominium hotel.
- Oversee Dining Room, Lounge and Banquet department, including daily operations, budgeting, labor and cost controls as well as marketing and promotions.
- Involved in concept and design of renovation project for Dining Room and Lounge.
Willamette Valley Vineyards, Turner, OR Aug-96 until Feb-98
Retail Sales Manager
Oversee all aspects of Retail Sales Department, including Tasting Room, Festivals, Off-site events, direct mail, and hospitality functions.
- Design and execute direct mail events and maintain mailing list.
- Conduct and train tour guides and Tasting Room staff.
- Develop marketing, sales strategies and goals as well as budgeting and cost controls for $1.4 million annual revenue department.
Salishan Lodge, Gleneden Beach, OR Apr-94 until Sep-96
Food & Beverage Director, Cellarmaster
Responsible for Food & Beverage operations including two restaurants, banquet department and lounge.
- Budgeting and cost controls for department with $3.5 million dollars in annual sales.
- Establish service standards and conduct staff training in food & beverage sales and service, as well as implement marketing and advertising plans.
- As Cellarmaster maintain a Wine Spectator Grand Award Winning Wine Cellar
- Provide guest seminars, special events, wine tastings and produce quarterly newsletter.
- Daily supervision of four star restaurant The Dining Room.
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Pano's & Paul's Restaurant, Atlanta, GA Feb-79 until Sep-93
Dining Room Manager
Supervise dining room and bar operations for a Mobil four star restaurant.
- Beverage manager responsibilities included inventory, selection, pricing, cost control and sales for award winning wine list and full bar operation with yearly beverage sales exceeding one million dollars.
- Work the dining floor daily while supervising staff of thirty.
- Conduct sales and service training sessions for six company restaurants.
Organizations & Certifications:
ServeSafe® Certified, 2010
Aloha POS CDM Certification, 2007
Court of Master Sommeliers, Advanced Certificate Course & Diploma 1996
Oregon Restaurant Association, Regional Board of Directors, 1996
Share Our Strength, Taste of the Nation, Steering Committee-Wine Auction, 1993-94, 1999-2005
Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, Board of Directors, Baillage d'Atlanta, 1993-94
Atlanta International Wine Festival, Wine Judge 1982-1990
