John N. Lake
Edinburgh,Midlothian
Summary
Ambitious and experienced beverage and hospitality professional with history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work history
Hospitality Consultant
Self-Employed
Edinburgh, Edinburgh
2025.11 - Current
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Fostered a culture of data-driven decision making within the organisation, fostering growth and development, .
- Worked closely with stakeholders to define key performance indicators,.
- Conducted regular audits to guarantee high-quality dataset integrity.
- Assisted in formulating business strategies using detailed analytical reports.
- Supported customers with implementation using various tools, including Excel, OpenTable, Micros & Kiskadee.
- Built and maintained strong client relationships to increase service satisfaction.
General manager
Dulse Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Midlothian
2025.05 - 2025.11
- Increased overall operational efficiency by implementing new management strategies.
- Regularly reviewed performance data, driving continuous improvement efforts. Weekly 1-on-1 meetings with FOH and BOH as well as the Operations Team.
- Achieved customer satisfaction with regular feedback and improvement sessions.
- Implemented rigorous financial controls, improving overall profitability.
- Established a positive work environment which promoted staff morale and productivity.
- Oversaw all aspects of daily operations, ensuring smooth running of the organisation.
- Directed day-to-day work of 22 employees and motivated teams to exceed objectives.
- Worked with owner and Operations team to establish objectives and decisively lead operations.
Bars Manager
W Hotels - Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Midlothian
2023.07 - 2024.09
- Senior manager of the pre-opening team. Involved in menu design, OS&E procurement, creating and opening the various concepts for F&B outlets.
- Helped to create sustainable and profitable brand partnerships for the bars and beverage programme.
- Worked closely with the Quality Manager to provide staff training on Forbes and BSA standards.
- Conducted audits and risk assessments to achieve regulatory compliance.
- Addressed customer issues with compassion and professionalism, ensuring swift, successful resolution.
- Maintained smooth-running business operations by delegating priorities to staff abilities.
- Planned and managed resources and budget to support and deliver objectives.
- Handled negotiations with outside vendors and service agencies to meet group needs.
- Acted as point of contact for high-level queries and represented team at senior leadership meetings.
- Planned revenue generation strategies designed for growth.
General Manager
The Tasting Room
Hamilton, Bermuda
2020.11 - 2023.03
- Started the business and oversaw project management and construction of retail store and wine lounge.
- Worked with Planning, Health, Fire and Liquor License government boards to secure, pass and maintain local government licenses.
- Generated reports to analyze data and identify process improvements.
- Managed all purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations to ensure efficiency and performance.
- Enhanced operational success through effective staffing, strong training, adherence to food safety and sanitation regulations and well-timed customer service.
- Completed stock ordering, replenishment and inventory management.
- Monitored and evaluated teams, identifying and targeting opportunities for improvement.
- Delivered business strategy to drive revenue ($1.08M in first year of opening) and operational efficiencies (Margin of 40%).
- Recruited top-performing candidates to build staff retention and team performance.
- Forecasted sales performance trends with Lightspeed Retail (VEND).
- Built and maintained loyal, long-term customer relationships through effective account management.
- Developed new products and expanded existing product lines to increase profitability.
Beverage Manager
Rosewood Bermuda
Hamilton, Bermuda
2017.01 - 2020.10
- Oversaw operation of four bars and 20 beverage staff across the resort including membership events, catering, banqueting, all meal periods and a 24 hour room service.
- Created and curated unique and seasonal cocktail menu and wine list for each outlet.
- Attracted, recruited and trained new employees.
- Produced sales and productivity reports.
- Set daily and weekly cleaning and equipment maintenance schedules.
- Enforced Forbes, LQA and Rosewood service standards to maintain establishment reputation for excellence.
- Negotiated buying conditions and sales contracts to secure lucrative deals.
- Kept business in compliance with internal controls, industry regulations and health and safety requirements.
- Established clear budgets with sound controls to keep business operating with optimum finances.
- Followed industry trends and set pricing strategies to maximise business returns.
- Created seasonal sales plans with varying stock and promotional strategies.
- Oversaw business staffing and training, building successful, customer-focused team.
- Collaborated with cross-company departments, developing new strategies to capitalize on emerging customer trends.
- Managed stock within set minimum and maximum levels to serve customers without over-extending finances, maintained a beverage cost of 27% or below.
- Created a unique rum blend with Bacardi for the resort in 2019 which is still produced and sold across the bars at Rosewood Bermuda.
Education
WSET Level 3 - Wine and Spirits
Wine Spirits Education Trust
London 04/2018 - 05/2018
Bachelor of Arts - Acting and Performance
Queen Margaret University
Musselburgh 09/2008 - 04/2012
International Baccalaureate - Economics, Mathematics, Theatre, French, English, Physics
Malvern College
Malvern, Worcestershire 09/2005 - 05/2007
Skills
- Menu design and development
- Diverse beverage knowledge
- Decision making
- Cost controls
- F&B inventory management
- Food hygiene regulations
- Customer complaint handling
- Financial reporting
- Outstanding customer service
- Department management
- Systems and automation applications
- Staff recruitment
- Staff mentoring
Languages
English
Native
French
Intermediate
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Hospitality Consultant
Self-Employed
2025.11 - Current
General manager
Dulse Edinburgh
2025.05 - 2025.11
Bars Manager
W Hotels - Edinburgh
2023.07 - 2024.09
General Manager
The Tasting Room
2020.11 - 2023.03
Beverage Manager
Rosewood Bermuda
2017.01 - 2020.10
WSET Level 3 - Wine and Spirits
Wine Spirits Education Trust
04/2018 - 05/2018
Bachelor of Arts - Acting and Performance
Queen Margaret University
09/2008 - 04/2012
International Baccalaureate - Economics, Mathematics, Theatre, French, English, Physics
Malvern College
09/2005 - 05/2007