Congratulations to Nick Albrecht, newly promoted to Food and Beverage Director, and a warm welcome to chef de cuisine, Mike Aviles and the recently appointed supervisors, all four of whom have been promoted from within. Including competent Dining Room Manager Chris Alexander, the leadership team is once again complete. This seems to be the perfect time to explain, briefly, how the dining staff functions.
In the kitchen, Chef Mike oversees twenty-four cooks and a dishwashing crew of twelve. Under Manager Chris's guidance, four dining room supervisors work with eighty servers, runners and bussers. Two genial hosts greet and seat the diners. The "To Go" team processes take-out orders until about 4:30 pm, then joins the servers. Shifts are staggered; many staffers are part time. On a given evening, as one host leads a team of greeters, about twenty-five servers bring beverages and bread, place the dinner orders, and make sure dinners are as requested. Two runners serve the meals, four bussers clear and re-set the tables, and a stocker keeps bread baskets and condiment containers filled.
The supervisors work closely with the serving staff. They help serve beverages, deal with "additions and corrections" to meals served, bring additional items from the kitchen and provide whatever else is requested by the residents. Not authorized to adjust meal credits or wine charges, they often relay requests from residents to the Director. They may stop at tables to greet diners, but will probably not linger long — as they work creatively to keep service flowing.
At times other than peak dinner hours, most leadership team members have specific assignments. Event planner Vicky organizes private celebrations, floor parties and UVTO functions. Joanna types menus and keeps Portal information updated. Mike and Brandon are new and not specialized yet. Chef Mike writes new recipes and menus, and helps buy food and supplies. Primarily he oversees the quality and presentation of residents' meals — "hot and perfect" is his objective! Manager Chris is an administrator, handling training plus personnel paperwork and overseeing supervisors, the host station and service — all geared to maintaining high dining standards. Director Nick is responsible for resident satisfaction. Staff team building is an essential, continuing focus as he encourages "laughing together" as the foundation of serving effectively. Thanks, everyone, for the dining experience you provide!