Kevin Neugent
Atlanta
Summary
Dynamic Fine Dining Server with extensive experience at The Oceanaire, skilled in upselling and relationship building. Proven track record in enhancing guest experiences through expert food and wine knowledge, while maintaining high standards of service and safety. Adept at staff training and fostering loyalty among patrons.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fine Dining Server
The Palm Restaurant
06.2025 - Current
- Fine Dining Server with an emphasis on food and wine knowledge, and crafting unique and memorable dining experiences for guests.
- Responsible for cataloging our entire wine program and creating a searchable database with information such as 'Appellation', 'Grape Composition', ‘Color’, ‘Aroma’, ’Taste’, 'Recommended Food Pairings' and 'Notable Awards and Scorings' for the purpose of building wine knowledge for our staff and giving them the tools to better do their jobs.
- Cultivating warm relationships with new and regular guests in order to build loyalty.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
Fine Dining Server, Supervising Manager, Bartender
The Oceanaire
02.2017 - 06.2025
- Fully trained in Management including floor supervision, scheduling, payroll, inventory control, hiring and interviewing.
- Fully certified in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Food Safety Management.
- Extensive Fine Dining Server experience with an emphasis on food and wine knowledge, and the establishment of regular patron loyalty.
- Bartending and craft cocktail design experience.
- Multiple levels of other satellite responsibilities within the restaurant.
Fine Dining Server
Portofino Italian Restaurant
02.2014 - 01.2017
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
Education
Bachelor of Science - English
Syracuse University
05-1996
Associate of Arts - Graphic Arts And Design
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY05-1992
Skills
- Upselling skills
- POS system operations
- Customer service
- Staff training
- Relationship building
- Safe food handling
- Event service
- Luxury experience management
- Detail-oriented
- Bottle service
- Food allergy awareness
Accomplishments
- Fine Dining Server and Bartender experience
- Full Fine Dining Restaurant Management and Supervision training
- Compiled extensive wine database for current business
- Certified Trainer for new hires and for training of other Certified Trainers
Certification
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Food Safety Certification (HACCP)
Timeline
Fine Dining Server
The Palm Restaurant
06.2025 - Current
Fine Dining Server, Supervising Manager, Bartender
The Oceanaire
02.2017 - 06.2025
Fine Dining Server
Portofino Italian Restaurant
02.2014 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Science - English
Syracuse University
Associate of Arts - Graphic Arts And Design
Onondaga Community College