Gregory Gaither
Pasadena
Summary
Results-driven hospitality and catering professional with expertise in food and beverage management, event operations, and client relations. Proven experience in high-level event execution and staff leadership, including roles in event service and catering directorship. Strong background in menu development, budgeting, and operational efficiency. Food handler certified in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, with comprehensive knowledge of food safety and sanitation.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Catering
Spring Valley Catering
01.2017 - 01.2023
- - Directed catering operations with responsibility for menu development, service delivery, staffing, rentals, sales management, and beverage programs.
- - Developed menus and wine lists tailored to client preferences and event requirements.
- - Applied extensive knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and preparation practices to support safe, high-quality catering operations.
- - Created promotional initiatives to increase awareness of catering brands, products, and services.
- - Developed promotional initiatives that enhanced visibility of catering brands and services.
- - Established partnerships with complementary service providers to enhance product launches and promote new wine releases.
- - Utilized TPP software to manage sales, service operations, rental requirements, and staffing.
- - Leveraged client relationships and product knowledge to drive business development and improve customer satisfaction.
Executive Residence Butler & Event Supervisor
The White House
01.2009 - 01.2017
- - Supervised hospitality operations for a wide range of official events, from intimate meetings to large-scale state dinners.
- - Coordinated service teams to achieve exceptional presentation, professionalism, and guest service standards.
- - Oversaw pre-service preparation for kitchen and floor staff, ensuring readiness, dress code compliance, and adherence to protocol.
- - Oversaw pre-service preparation for kitchen and floor staff, including assignments, readiness, dress code, and protocol.
- - Coordinated staff responsibilities, facilitating seamless communication between service teams during high-profile events.
- - Received specialized training from internationally recognized chefs and wine sommeliers.
- - Applied advanced hospitality techniques and service protocols in an environment requiring discretion, attention to detail, and consistent execution.
Event Supervisor
Well Dunn Catering & Main Event Catering
01.2006 - 01.2017
- - Supervised catered events from initial setup through final breakdown, maintaining service quality and operational efficiency.
- - Coordinated event requirements through client tastings and collaboration with clients, kitchen personnel, and sales representatives.
- - Directed the setup and presentation of tables, buffets, bars, and menu items.
- - Trained and supervised bartenders, servers, captains, and kitchen staff on service procedures and presentation standards to uphold quality.
- - Delegated responsibilities to captains and assigned duties to event staff to ensure efficient service delivery.
- - Maintained high standards of service at events involving government officials, heads of state, and other high-profile guests.
- - Addressed operational challenges promptly while collaborating with clients and internal teams to achieve successful event outcomes.
Event Waiter & Bartender
Gepeto Catering & Well Dunn Catering
01.2003 - 01.2005
- - Delivered food and beverage service at catered events, enhancing guest experience through skilled bartending and hospitality.
- Executed event setup, table service, bar operations, and breakdown.
- - Developed expertise in catering logistics and menu presentation, adhering to professional service standards.
- - Built working knowledge of catering logistics, menu presentation, and professional service standards.
Military Intelligence Operator — 96R
U.S. Army
01.1989 - 01.1991
- - Served on active duty as a 96R Military Intelligence Operator.
- - Supported military intelligence operations through disciplined observation and information gathering, ensuring accurate reporting and strict adherence to established procedures to enhance mission effectiveness.
- - Cultivated attention to detail, situational awareness, and decision-making skills in high-pressure operational environments, contributing to team cohesion and operational success.
Education
High School Diploma -
Chesapeake High School
Pasadena, MD06-1988
Skills
- - Catering & Event Management
- - Food & Beverage Operations Management
- - Menu Development & Presentation
- Food safety certification
- - Food safety management
- - Event Planning, Setup & Breakdown
- - Vendor Coordination, Rentals & Equipment
- - Quality Control & Operational Troubleshooting
- - Budgeting, Labor Costs & Profit and Loss Assessments
- - Sales Growth & Revenue Development
- - Financial & Business Management
- - Staffing, Scheduling & Labor Management
- - Staff Leadership, Training & Development
- - Team performance motivation
- - Employee training programs
- - Multilingual Client Engagement
- Team leadership
- - Team motivation
- - Bilingual Communication: English and Spanish
- Financial management
- - Proactive troubleshooting
- - Sales development
- - Service Standards, Etiquette & Hospitality Protocol
- - Quality assurance and service execution
- - Sanitation and preparation
- - Beverage program expertise
- - Bartending and bar operations
- - Kitchen equipment and catering supply knowledge
- Communication & Problem Solving
- - Client relationship management
- - English and Spanish communication
- - Decisive under pressure
- - Proactive troubleshooting and anticipating operational challenges
Certification
Food Handler Certification: Washington, D.C. and Maryland Health Departments
Languages
- Bilingual Communication: English and Spanish
Timeline
Director of Catering
Spring Valley Catering
01.2017 - 01.2023
Executive Residence Butler & Event Supervisor
The White House
01.2009 - 01.2017
Event Supervisor
Well Dunn Catering & Main Event Catering
01.2006 - 01.2017
Event Waiter & Bartender
Gepeto Catering & Well Dunn Catering
01.2003 - 01.2005
Military Intelligence Operator — 96R
U.S. Army
01.1989 - 01.1991
High School Diploma -
Chesapeake High School