Thembekile Tshuma
Guest Service
Johannesburg ,Gauteng
Summary
Passionate and service-driven senior waiter with a proven track record in high-end dining and international guest service.
Skilled in delivering exceptional customer experiences, training junior staff, and optimizing restaurant operations. Fluent in English and German, ensuring seamless communication in multicultural environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Waiter
Tui Cruises
05.2025 - Current
- Supervised restocking of salad bar and buffet for lunch and dinner service.
- Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
- Resolved customer concerns promptly and professionally, ensuring a positive dining experience.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
- Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues through diplomatic acknowledgment and commitment to service.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing efficient and attentive service during busy shifts.
Restaurant Waiter
TUI Cruises
12.2024 - 04.2025
- Delivering exceptional guest service in an exclusive onboard restaurant.
- Supervising and training junior waiters.
- Coordinating service with kitchen and bar teams.
- Upselling premium wines and specialty dishes
- Mentored junior waitstaff to improve their skills and maintain a high standard of service, resulting in a more cohesive team.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Served as a liaison between kitchen staff and guests regarding dietary restrictions or special requests ensuring a pleasant dining experience for all.
- Monitored dining rooms for seating availability as well as service, safety, and well-being of guests.
- Facilitated clear communication between the front-and back-of-house teams, improving overall restaurant efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with all health department regulations by maintaining a clean workspace at all times.
- Conducted regular pre-shift meetings to review daily specials, promotions, and any relevant updates from management.
- Maintained accurate inventory levels for all front-of-house supplies, reducing waste and saving costs.
Senior Dining Server
Marriott Hotels
12.2023 - 12.2024
- Managed dining floor operations and team leadership.
- Increased sales through expert upselling and recommendations.
- Maintained hygiene and SOP standards.
Senior Waiter
Gemelli Cucina Bar
12.2020 - 12.2023
- Trained junior staff and ensured high service standards.
- Enhanced guest experiences and improved team coordination.
Bar Server
News Cafe Emperors Palace
03.2017 - 12.2019
- Delivered fast and friendly bar service in a high-volume environment.
Education
Bachelor Of Tourism Management - Hospitality And Tourism Management
Blantyre University
OnlineCertificate - Hospitality Management
Diageo Bar Academy
Online05.2025
Diploma - Hospitality Management
Alison Online
02.2024
Diploma - Customer Service
Alison Online
02.2024
Certificate - Customer Service
Diageo Bar Academy
04.2023
Skills
- Customer service excellence
- Team leadership and training
- Multilingual communication
- Wine knowledge and pairing
- Efficient order coordination
- SOP and hygiene compliance
Certification
- STCW
- Crowd Management
- Firefighting
- Security Awareness
- Crisis and Human Behavior Management
Languages
English (Native)
German (intermediate)
Ndebele (Native)
Timeline
Senior Waiter
Tui Cruises
05.2025 - Current
Restaurant Waiter
TUI Cruises
12.2024 - 04.2025
Senior Dining Server
Marriott Hotels
12.2023 - 12.2024
Senior Waiter
Gemelli Cucina Bar
12.2020 - 12.2023
Bar Server
News Cafe Emperors Palace
03.2017 - 12.2019
Diploma - Hospitality Management
Alison Online
Diploma - Customer Service
Alison Online
Certificate - Customer Service
Diageo Bar Academy
Bachelor Of Tourism Management - Hospitality And Tourism Management
Blantyre University
Certificate - Hospitality Management
Diageo Bar Academy
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