Dylan Cook CV 2017

CURRICULUM VITAEDYLAN TAYLOR COOK

534 REYNARD ROAD, VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWECELL: (+263) 772 437 136

E MAIL: dylancook90@gmail.com _______________________________________________________________________

PERSONAL PROFILENAME: Dylan TaylorSURNAME: CookDATE OF BIRTH: 18th June 1990PLACE OF BIRTH: ZimbabweNATIONALITY: ZimbabweanMARITAL STATUS: Single

EDUCATION PROFILESCHOOL ATTENDED: Saint Georges CollegeDATES: 2003 - 2008STANDARD: A Level – 2 Subjects

FURTHER QUALIFICATIONSInternational Hotel School 2009International Diploma in Hospitality ManagementAmerican Hospitality & Lodging Association.Subjects studied: Supervision in the Hospitality Industry, Tourism and the Hospitality Industry, Leadership and Management in the Hospitality Industry, Housekeeping Management, Food and Beverage Management, Managing Food and Beverage Service Operations, Planning and Controls for Food and Beverage Operations, Hospitality Facilities Management and Design, Managing Beverage Service, Managing Front Office, Managing Hospitality Human Resources Hospitality Sales and Marketing, Training and Development in the Hospitality Industry, Hotel and Restaurant Accounting.

International Computer Driver License (ICDL) 2008ICDL subjects covered; Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, File Management, Internet, and E-mail

Cisco Networking Academy 2008IT Essentials: PC Hardware and SoftwareThe course specializes in the maintenance and building of computer hardware and software.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILEI am an enthusiastic and highly skilled candidate who has developed a career within the tourism industry. Who ensures high standards are kept and maintained as well as being an effective communicator with a positive personality, strong interpersonal skills, experience in managing a team and an excellent can-do attitude in combination with MS office proficiency and a desire to learn. Confident in a variety of roles related to the tourism trade.

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Dylan Cook CV 2017

EMPLOYMENT PROFILEAugust 2016 – To Date Wilderness Safaris, Victoria Falls, ZimbabweRuckomechi Camp Manager Wilderness Safaris is a luxury safari company that owns and manages numerous safari camps on private concessions throughout Southern Africa. I report directly to the Operations Manager of the company. My duties include:

Assisting with coordinating guest activities and overseeing the smooth running of the camp. Attending to clients’ requests in a timely manner. Overseeing the ordering and recording of stock items. Implementing and overseeing procurement and quality control methods for the company. Compiling monthly financial reports and monthly newsletters for head office. Overseeing any maintenance issues in camp, the airstrip and the concession. Checking and maintaining the cleanliness of the camp, the boats, and game drive vehicles. Maintaining excellent food and beverage standards service standards. Managing and rostering 30 staff members. Hosting guests during meal periods. Responsible for smooth checking in of guests.

May 2015 – July 2016 Zambezi Explorer Cruise Company, Victoria Falls, ZimbabweWaterfront Manager Zambezi Explorer is a cruise and event company that focuses on breakfast, lunch, dinner and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River. Zambezi Explorer owns the lease to a waterfront venue which is extremely popular for functions such as weddings and corporate dinners. Report directly to the General Manager of the company. Duties include:

Assisting with coordinating and overseeing the smooth running of the cruises and waterfront functions. Attending to clients’ requests in a timely manner. Overseeing the ordering and receiving of stock. Implementing and overseeing stock and quality control methods for the company. Compiling monthly reports for the General Manager. Overseeing any maintenance issues on either of the vessels and on the waterfront site. Checking and maintaining the cleanliness of the vessels. Maintaining service standards and food and beverage standards for the sunset cruise, waterfront

functions and the Signature Lounge Restaurant. Overseeing the smooth running of the Signature Lounge Restaurant. Responsible for dong daily cash ups and authorizing discounts. Managing 20 to 25 employees and ensuring staffing levels are adequate for the day’s bookings. Recruiting casual staff when required to ensure the smooth running of the cruise and/or function Represent management in labour hearings.

December 2012 – 30th April 2015 Adventure Lodge, Victoria Falls, ZimbabweLodge General Manager Adventure Lodge is a budget 68 room hotel with a campsite accommodating up to +-150 people, situated in Victoria Falls. It also has a bar and restaurant that is available for external guests. Reported directly to the Managing Director.Duties included:

Manage the daily running of the Lodge, supervising reservations, and restaurant. Compiling travel packages and tour itineraries for single clients and travel groups. Implementing and overseeing stock and quality control methods for all departments within the Lodge. Coordinating and overseeing group lunches and dinners both at the lodge and in the bush. Plan and coordinate functions at the lodge which include (birthday parties, farewells and full moon

parties). Assist with the organizing of major events such as the Vic Falls Marathon, Vic Falls MTB Challenge and

the Vic Falls Carnival. Doing staff rota for 30+ employees, managing overtime and scheduling annual leave days. Authorizing and overseeing the purchases (food, beverage, housekeeping and stationary) for the Lodge. Recruiting and disciplining staff when necessary. Checking and maintaining standards in housekeeping, and food and beverage. Implementing staff training and development Compiling monthly reports for the directors.

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Dylan Cook CV 2017

Act as the presiding officer in labour hearings. Graphic design - designing adverts as per the Directors request. Social media marketing for the Lodge and the Activities side of the company. Compiling of the company newsletter to send to our agents.

1st November 2011 – 30th November 2012 The Victoria Falls Hotel Food and Beverage Management TraineeReport to the Deputy General Manager and Assistant Food and Beverage Managers.Duties include:

Monitoring the smooth service of the restaurants and bars Accommodating guest complaints and requests in the food and beverage department Cashing up the cashiers and checking the cashier balances with both cash and credit. Voiding errors on the point of sale interface systems in the restaurants and bars Managing shifts (+/- 25 people – 3 restaurants and 1 bar) Compiling month end reports for the Deputy General Manager and Assistant Food and Beverage

Managers. Enforcing disciplinary action when required to do so. Over seeing daily stock take, completing daily checklists and managing par levels in the bars.

1st March 2011 – 31st May 2011 Meikles HotelSpecialization in the Food and Beverage DepartmentReport to the Food and beverage Manager.Duties included:

Monitoring the smooth service of the restaurants and bars Accommodating guest complaints in the food and beverage department Cashing up the cashiers and checking the cashier balances with both cash and credit. Voiding, and reversing payments on the point of sale interface systems in the restaurants and bars Managing shifts

1st June 2009 – 28th February 2011 Meikles HotelTrainee ManagerIntensive practical course work in the following departments:

Banqueting – Waiter Bars – Bar Hand and Barman Housekeeping – General Cleaner and Bedroom Hand Front Office – Reservations, Guest Services and Reception Sales and Marketing Kitchens – Kitchen Porter and Chef Restaurants – Waiter and headwaiter Food and Beverage Controls Stores – Receiving and Issuing

INTERESTSHobbies include photography, videography, fishing, adventure sports, rugby, cricket, squash, and golf. I enjoy travelling and experiencing different cultures and meeting new people.

References available on request.

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