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Professional Portrait Executive Hospitality Operations

Orchestrating unforgettable culinary experiences & operational excellence.

Transforming luxury dining concepts into highly profitable, award-winning establishments through innovative management, financial restructuring, and strategic leadership.

Career Progression

Professional Milestones

2020 — Present

Director of F&B Operations

The Grand Azure Hospitality Group | New York, NY

  • Architected a comprehensive F&B overhaul across 4 luxury properties, resulting in a 45% YoY revenue increase, exceeding $22M annually.
  • Optimized supply chain and vendor negotiations, systematically reducing overall food and beverage costs by 12% without compromising Michelin-level quality.
  • Spearheaded the integration of modern POS and inventory management systems (Toast, BevSpot), improving operational efficiency and real-time data analytics.
  • Cultivated a high-performance culture, reducing staff turnover by 30% through targeted training programs and incentive restructuring.
2016 — 2020

General Manager

L'Époque (Two Michelin Stars) | Chicago, IL

  • Directed daily operations for a world-renowned fine dining establishment, consistently maintaining a 5-star Forbes Travel Guide rating.
  • Engineered dynamic pricing models and elevated guest retention strategies, increasing average cover spend by 28%.
  • Collaborated directly with Executive Chef to concept and launch seasonal tasting menus, generating significant press coverage and a 6-month waitlist.
2012 — 2016

Beverage Director & Sommelier

Aura Resort & Spa | Miami, FL

  • Curated an award-winning 1,200-label wine program, recognized by Wine Spectator with the "Best of Award of Excellence" for three consecutive years.
  • Designed and executed comprehensive beverage training for over 150 staff members, drastically improving upsell metrics.
  • Restructured inventory protocols, eliminating shrinkage and reducing dead stock by $45,000 within the first year.
Technical & Soft Skills

Operational Stack Radar

POS & Management

Toast / Micros / Aloha Expert
SevenRooms / Resy / OpenTable Expert
Opera PMS Advanced

Finance & Inventory

BevSpot / xtraCHEF Expert
P&L Analysis & Forecasting Expert
Labor Cost Optimization Advanced
Crisis Management
Vendor Negotiation
Concept Development
Michelin Standard Service
Cross-Cultural Team Leadership
Advanced Enology
Proven Results

Strategic Case Studies

Luxury Dining Room setup

The Azure Rebranding

Concept Overhaul P&L Restructuring SevenRooms

Transformed an underperforming hotel restaurant into a flagship destination dining venue. Led the redesign, menu conceptualization with the culinary team, and implemented aggressive digital reservation strategies. Impact: Reached profitability within 4 months post-launch and secured local "Best New Restaurant" accolades.

Craft Cocktails on bar

Zero-Waste Mixology Program

Sustainability BevSpot Training

Developed and integrated a closed-loop beverage program focusing on sustainability and minimizing organic waste. Conducted extensive staff training on modern mixology techniques utilizing kitchen byproducts. Impact: Reduced beverage pour cost by 4.5% while generating extensive PR coverage for sustainable practices.

Chef plating high-end dish

Michelin Star Acquisition

Service Standards Operations Guest Experience

Brought in as a turnaround consultant to elevate front-of-house operations to international critique standards. Implemented rigorous service manuals, micro-choreography for floor staff, and personalized guest CRM tracking. Impact: Successfully guided the establishment to acquire its first Michelin Star the following guide year.

Restaurant interior looking out

Multi-Unit Franchise Scalability

SOP Creation Toast POS Supply Chain

Architected the operational blueprint for expanding a successful single-unit bistro into a regional chain. Standardized all recipes, vendor contracts, and management training protocols. Impact: Facilitated the seamless opening of 3 new locations within 18 months, all hitting target ROI 2 months ahead of schedule.

Endorsements

Industry Reputation

"Julian possesses a rare combination of sharp financial acumen and profound understanding of luxury hospitality. He doesn't just manage restaurants; he engineers experiences that drive immense profitability."

Sarah Jenkins

VP of Hospitality, Grand Azure Group

"Working alongside Julian to secure our star was a masterclass in operational discipline. His ability to lead a team under immense pressure while maintaining flawless service standards is unmatched."

Chef Marcus Lin

Executive Chef, L'Époque

"The systems Julian implemented completely transformed our margins. He identified leaks in our inventory we didn't know existed and empowered our staff to become active revenue generators."

David Rossi

Owner, Rossi Restaurant Syndicate
Academic & Professional

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management

Cornell University | School of Hotel Administration

Advanced Sommelier Certification

Court of Master Sommeliers

ServSafe Food Protection Manager

National Restaurant Association

Get in Touch

Start a Conversation

Whether you are looking to revitalize an existing property, concept a new venture, or seeking executive leadership, I am available for consultations and permanent roles.