Clint Steven Pavkovich
Hospitality Food & Beverage Operations Manager
Durban
Summary
Senior Food & Beverage and hospitality operations leader with 30+ years’ international experience managing premium restaurants, multi-outlet hospitality operations, clubs, lodges, event venues, and destination hospitality businesses across South Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, Bermuda, and the United States. Proven track record in opening, restructuring, stabilizing, and scaling hospitality operations in high-pressure environments. Extensive expertise across food & beverage management, financial controls, staffing, service delivery, systems implementation, guest experience, and large-scale event operations. Recognized for combining hands-on operational leadership with strong commercial acumen, operational turnaround capability, and luxury hospitality standards. Veteran Hospitality Manager ready to lead service teams through careful training and empathetic management. Proficient at educating staff on proper beverage handling and serving techniques. Perpetually ready to address customer complaints and concerns with amiable and effective solutions.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER
Palala Boutique Game Lodge
Lephalale, Limpopo
07.2025 - 11.2025
- Directed food & beverage operations in remote luxury hospitality, enhancing guest experience and service quality
- Managed front-of-house teams and streamlined stock control, procurement, and supplier relations to ensure efficient operations
- Delivered consistent operations in high-logistics environment through effective planning and cost management strategies
- Successfully completed fixed-term operational contract focused on stabilization and service delivery
- Executed contract management processes
RESTAURANT MANAGER | OPENING & REPOSITIONING PROJECT
305 Boutique Guest House
Amanzimtoti, Durban
06.2024 - 04.2025
- Reopened and repositioned restaurant operations for external dining market post-Covid
- Developed and implemented SOPs, recipe systems, stock controls, and GAAP back-office procedures to streamline operations
- Redesigned operations to enhance service flow and guest experience
- Managed restaurant operations, private functions, and corporate hospitality events
- Played key role in relaunching hospitality operations during a challenging trading period
FOOD & BEVERAGE / OPERATIONS MANAGER
Victoria Country Club
Pietermaritzburg
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Directed operations across 8 hospitality venues, enhancing guest experiences in conferencing, functions, restaurant, and club environments
- Directed operations across 8 hospitality venues including conferencing, functions, restaurant, and club environments
- Led reopening and operational rebuild of hospitality division post-management transition, restoring service quality and team cohesion
- Implemented operational systems in HR, IT, stock management, reporting, and service delivery to streamline processes and improve performance
- Managed staffing, supplier coordination, cost controls, and daily operational performance
- Identified customer needs to respond proactively to concerns, boosting customer satisfaction scores.
- Appraised performance of 30-member team to provide feedback, improving productivity.
- Created detailed reports on weekly, monthly and annual expenses and revenues, using Pilot and ClubMaster.
- Trained, supervised and motivated 30 employees to enhance customer service and encourage repeat business.
OWNER / GENERAL MANAGER
Caversham Mill Restaurant
Lidgetton, Howick, KZN
01.2020 - 06.2023
- Owned and operated destination restaurant and hospitality business within the KZN Midlands tourism sector
- Directed food & beverage, staffing, financial, procurement, and operational functions to ensure seamless service delivery
- Managed weddings, live music events, private functions, and corporate hospitality events, enhancing guest satisfaction and brand reputation
- Developed menus, wine offerings, and guest experiences, streamlining operational systems for improved service efficiency
- Successfully operated through highly challenging post-Covid trading conditions until property sale and lease non-renewal
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Ardmore Ceramic Art
Lidgetton, Howick, KZN
09.2013 - 11.2019
- Managed operational, administrative, HR, stock, logistics, and export functions, ensuring seamless operations for internationally recognised luxury brand
- Coordinated international exhibitions and luxury client engagements, enhancing brand visibility and client relations
- Oversaw operational systems and supplier relationships, streamlining inventory management and sales coordination
- Coordinated international exhibitions, events, and luxury client engagements
GENERAL MANAGER
Caversham Mill Restaurant & Midlands Forest Lodge
Lidgetton, Howick, KZN
09.2006 - 08.2013
- Managed staffing, financial controls, procurement, forecasting, and operational performance
- Oversaw staffing, financial controls, procurement, forecasting, and operational performance to ensure efficient operations
- Enhanced guest experiences through strategic management of food, beverage, accommodation, and events
- Coordinated large-scale functions, weddings, tourism operations, and hospitality service delivery to achieve seamless events
GENERAL MANAGER
Ristorante Rosemary
Costa Smeralda, Sardinia
01.2000 - 07.2006
- Opened and operated upscale seasonal restaurant within international luxury tourism destination, enhancing guest experience
- Directed staffing, menu development, bar operations, supplier sourcing, branding, and operational delivery to ensure high service standards
- Managed annual opening and shutdown procedures, overseeing financial close and operational planning for seamless transitions
- Managed annual opening and shutdown procedures including financial close and operational planning
Education
Operations Management -
University of Cape Town
Business Management - undefined
University of Cape Town
Matric - undefined
Bracken High School
Skills
Food and beverage operations
Menu development
Cost control
Quality control
Hygiene regulations
Allergy management
Operations oversight
Ordering supplies
Labor management
Menu pricing
Food presentation
Customer service
Effective communication
Team building
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Senior Food & Beverage Leadership
- Multi-Outlet Hospitality Operations
- Restaurant Openings & Operational Turnarounds
- Financial Management & Cost Control
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting
- Stock Control & Procurement Systems
- SOP Development & Systems Implementation
- Staff Leadership, Recruitment & Training
- Luxury Guest Experience Management
- Events, Conferencing & Functions (500+ Guests)
- Supplier & Stakeholder Relations
- Hospitality Restructuring & Operational Optimisation
INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY PEDIGREE
- Experience gained within internationally recognised hospitality environments including:
- La Colombe Cape Town, RSA
- The River Café London, UK
- Joe Allen London, UK
- The Sugar Club London, UK
- Orsino London, UK
- The Pickled Onion Hamilton, Bermuda
Timeline
FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER
Palala Boutique Game Lodge
07.2025 - 11.2025
RESTAURANT MANAGER | OPENING & REPOSITIONING PROJECT
305 Boutique Guest House
06.2024 - 04.2025
FOOD & BEVERAGE / OPERATIONS MANAGER
Victoria Country Club
08.2023 - 05.2024
OWNER / GENERAL MANAGER
Caversham Mill Restaurant
01.2020 - 06.2023
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Ardmore Ceramic Art
09.2013 - 11.2019
GENERAL MANAGER
Caversham Mill Restaurant & Midlands Forest Lodge
09.2006 - 08.2013
GENERAL MANAGER
Ristorante Rosemary
01.2000 - 07.2006
Business Management - undefined
University of Cape Town
Matric - undefined
Bracken High School
Operations Management -
University of Cape Town