BENJAMIN ANNONE
Wilmington
Summary
Senior Leadership major with five years of progressive hospitality experience and strong skills in communication, customer service, event planning, and team management. Known for high energy, professionalism, and the ability to lead under pressure.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Front of House Manager, Bartender, Server
Caffè Gelato
Newark
07.2020 - Current
- Progressed from busser to server, bartender, and front of house manager through consistent performance and reliability.
- Managed front of house operations during high volume shifts, coordinating servers, runners, bar staff, and hosts to maintain smooth workflow.
- Trained over 20 new employees, teaching service standards, communication techniques, and guest engagement strategies.
- Increased average check value through consistent upselling of wine, cocktails, and menu specials.
- Supported private dining events ranging from 20 to 120 guests, handling setup, timing, communication, and guest relations.
- Curated and updated wine list selections in collaboration with vendors and sommeliers and educated staff on new offerings.
- Delivered high level guest service, resolved issues quickly, and strengthened customer loyalty and return business.
- Maintained POS operations, cash handling, inventory tasks, and end of night reporting.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Leadership
University of Delaware
05-2026
Projects
ASPIRA Leadership Coaching Capstone, University of Delaware
- Managed the full conference budget, executed fundraising, and designed the GoFundMe campaign that met project goals.
- Allocated funds, purchased materials, and oversaw all financial and logistical decisions for conference activities.
- Helped plan and deliver a full day leadership conference for over 40 students.
- Facilitated leadership and communication sessions during the event and during weekly coaching visits.
ICON PLC Organizational Leadership Analysis, University of Delaware
- Conducted an in depth leadership study of ICON PLC, including interviewing the President of Laboratory and Imaging Solutions.
- Analyzed leadership structure, decision making processes, technology integration, and cross functional collaboration.
- Delivered a 25–30 minute team presentation summarizing research, organizational history, SWOT analysis, and recommendations.
Skills
Conflict resolution, Staff training, Group facilitation, Interpersonal communication, Upselling, Guest recovery, Event planning, Bartending, Wine service, Menu knowledge, POS systems, Shift leadership, Event coordination, Inventory management, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Photography and content creation
Hobbies and Interests
- Cycling and fitness
- Photography
- Travel
- Food and wine culture
Timeline
Front of House Manager, Bartender, Server
Caffè Gelato
07.2020 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Leadership
University of Delaware