Bruce Blair

Experience

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  The Derby Night Club

  Sept 1996 - Nov 1999

  General Manger

  The “#1 swing club in America”. A former Brown Derby, this 1940’s style, art deco supper club featured live swing music and dancing lessons nightly. A bona-fide Hollywood Landmark.Supervised all aspects of daily operations: wait staff, security, sound engineers, nightly music acts, Sable POS system, inventory and ordering.Duties included: special event planning for numerous Hollywood wrap parties, birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.Some clientele: Paramount Pictures, Fox, Warner Brothers, MTV, Sony, New Line Cinema, Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Whoopie Goldberg, Cindy Crawford, ER, The Nanny, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Show less

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  The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

  Nov 1999 - Nov 2000

  Food & Beverage Manger

  This historic, luxury landmark was built in 1906. Two time recipient of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award and an industry leader in service excellence.Responsible for: budget forecasting, wine inventory, scheduling, quality management, personnel development, and employee performance revues for The Grill fine dining room and The Bar/Lounge.Duties included: Manager On Duty for entire hotel weekly, Quality Improvement Teams, Hotel & Spa Employment Selection Team.Recognition/Awards: Leader of the Quarter nominee (twice), The Grill dining room improved from a Mobil 3 Star and AAA 3 Diamond to a 4 Star, 4 Diamond ranking, certified Talent + Selection Process Analyst for staff and supervisors, certified Peer Review Panelist. Show less

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  Crocodile Cafe

  Nov 2000 - Aug 2004

  General Manager

  High volume, California casual restaurant. $4 million annually

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  Parkway Grill

  Aug 2004 - Aug 2006

  General Manager

  Operated by Smith Brother's Restaurant Corporation. A Pasadena landmark.A measurable record of success with Smith Brother's Restaurant Corporation. Originally hired as a manager, I was promoted to General Manager of Crocodile Cafe, then to General Manager of their flagship restaurant, Parkway Grill.Responsible for all aspects of operations: defining operating budget, monthly forecasting, payroll, all cost controls, Human Resources, service and training, R&M, purchasing, and inventory.Duties include: Training corporate wide management in company systems and controls. Conducting monthly corporate staff meetings. Screening management candidates for all openings throughout the corporation. Developed company wide internal audit procedure that scored management effectiveness and was a factor in quarterly bonus calculations.Top Line grew 7.6%, bottom line 20.5% year over year in 2005, topping $5 million.Top Line (through July) 2006 grew 11.1%, bottom line 17.4% over 2005 Show less

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  The Beverly Hilton

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  General Manager

  This newly remodeled restaurant and lounge served 3 meal periods daily and luxury Sunday Brunch in a 335 seat venue.As opening General Manager, I lead a team of 90 and was responsible for all aspects of operations and training for Circa 55.Menu featured USDA Prime Steaks, over 200 wines, with 30 by the glass.Large scale events included the HBO after party for the Golden Globes Awards and other private functions for 350 - 1100 people.

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  Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  General Manager

  This Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Grand Brasserie & Bar served 3 meal periods daily, plus room service and banquets in Hotel Monaco.Responsible for all aspects of operations: concept and menu development, marketing, budgeting, forecasting, monthly P&L review, R&M, Human Resources, training, manager development.

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  Langham Hospitality Group

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2010

  Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

  Built in 1906, this legacy luxury hotel is owned by Langham Hotels Intl., a member of Leading Hotels of the WorldResponsible for all aspects of operations in The Terrace (3 meal restaurant), Lobby Lounge, Bar, and Pool Cafe.Assisted Director of Food & Beverage in all other areas for this 380 room, luxury property with 50,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space.

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  Smitty's Grill

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2013

  General Manager

  Rehired to Smith Brother’s Restaurant Corporation after 3.5 years working for luxury hotels. Responsible for all aspects of operations: defining operating budget, monthly forecasting, payroll, all cost controls, Human Resources, service and training, repair and maintenance, purchasing wine and liquor ordering, inventory.

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  The Knitting Tree, L.A.

  Aug 2013 - now

  Owner

  My wife and I own this brick and mortar store 10 minutes from LAX. Featured in this KTLA Channel 5's nightly show: L.A. Unscripted on January 12, 2023.http://ktla.com/video/olivia-in-la-the-knitting-tree/8303100Voted Best Yarn Store in L.A. for classes by Los Angeles Magazine.

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  Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery

  Oct 2017 - now

  Hospitality & Training Manager

  A Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Landmark, family owned and operated for 106 years. Responsible for all aspects of hospitality, training, and service in the tasting rooms and restaurants of our 3 locations in Los Angeles, Onatrio, CA, and Paso Robles. 1000 seats in 9 locations.