Baya Karisa

Dedicated Assistant Waiter with 4 years of experience delivering high-quality guest service in fast-paced, romantic dining settings. Anticipates customer needs and maintains a welcoming dining environment, ensuring exceptional, friendly communication throughout every service. Skilled in guest relations, teamwork, and attention to detail, known for warm, professional approach.

Waiter - Prawns Lake Conservation - Watamu, Kenya

(2024)

• Prepare and style outdoor sunset table settings for 70–80 guests daily, ensuring a romantic and memorable dining environment
• Managed food and beverage orders for up to 30 tables during peak dinner service, ensuring 100% order accuracy and timely delivery
• Maintain clear communication between the kitchen, bar, and front-of-house staff during busy evening sunset service, ensuring smooth coordination and a positive experience for guests
• Collaborate closely with kitchen, bar, and serving staff to keep service flowing smoothly, stepping in to support teammates during peak evening hours
• Deliver fine-dining à la carte service to 80–100 guests per dinner service, maintaining a polished, attentive service standard throughout peak hours
• Use POS system to process orders and settle guest bills accurately, ensuring smooth, error-free payment handling during peak service
• Proactively recommend appetizers, desserts, and drink pairings to guests, boosting guest satisfaction and increasing average order value during service

Ass. Waiter - Gecko Resort - Watamu, Kenya

(2022 - 2023)

• Manage incoming reservations and arrange table setups for special functions and key events of the day, ensuring seamless readiness for important dining occasions
• Maintain clear communication between the kitchen, bar, and front-of-house staff during busy service hours, ensuring smooth coordination and a positive experience for guests
• Assist the head waiter during busy lunch service, supporting efficient table turnover and smooth front-of-house operations
• Take guest food orders and serve them accurately and promptly, maintaining timely, courteous service during peak lunch hours
• Serve up to 40+ guests per à la carte service during peak hours, maintaining timely, accurate order-taking and courteous service under pressure
• Managed incoming reservations and table setups for events of up to 60 guests, ensuring seamless readiness for key dining occasions
• Maintained high service standards during peak evening rush hours, handling 20 covers per shift with accuracy and speed private house waiter - Dhow House - Watamu, Kenya

(2021 - 2022)

• Serve buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests in a private house, warmly explaining daily meal offerings and answering guest questions
• Maintain a clean, welcoming dining environment, clearing and resetting tables promptly after each meal service
• Executed premium poolside dining and beverage service for private events, consistently exceeding guest expectations for special departure-evening functions
• Serve 20–80 guests depending on reservation volume, reaching peak occupancy during December, providing attentive buffet and drink service in a private-house setting
• Managed high-touch buffet service for 20–30 guests daily, providing personalized meal explanations and attentive guest support

Trainee Waiter - Kobe Suites Resort - Watamu, Kenya

(2020 - 2021)

• Receive structured on-the-job training in professional restaurant service and table setups, learning order-taking procedures from senior waiters during live service
• Complete training in guest services and food safety, building practical knowledge of gastronomy and food allergens to support safe, attentive service
• Assist senior waiters during meal service, applying newly learned service standards to support smooth front-of-house operations
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in dining areas, clearing and resetting tables to uphold a tidy, safe service environment

Volunteer – Patient Assistance - Watamu Dispensary - Watamu, Kenya

(2023 - 2023)

• Assist patients with daily needs and wayfinding within the dispensary, providing friendly, supportive care and clear communication during visits
• Support patient registration and guided wayfinding, assisting with paperwork and providing friendly, reassuring care to visitors
• Volunteered 3 days per week, assisting 10–15 patients daily with daily needs and clear communication during their visits

Certificate - Food Safety - Gedi Youth Polytechnic (2023)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - St. John's High School Gede (2020)