[PHOTOSTORY 3: ADITL]- MANAGER RUNS THE SHOW

 By: Makenna Skipper 

Chloe Fischer leads the team meeting in the back office, outlining the night’s game plan for the crew. At just 24 years old, Chloe is Gnat’s Landing’s soon-to-be General Manager and makes sure everyone is prepared before every shift.

Chloe clocks herself and the rest of the team in for the shift using the computer system in the back office. She says, “I make sure everyone is accounted for and ready to start on time, every time.”

Before the dinner rush starts, Chloe spends time in the office breaking down boxes and tidying up the back area. She says, “The clutter can get out of hand fast, so I like to make sure we’re always starting with a clean slate.”

Chloe tightens loose bolts and fixes broken chairs in the back office before service begins. She says, “I like to make sure everything’s in working order so our guests can have a comfortable experience.”

Chloe opens a large Amazon delivery box in the back office, sorting through items that just arrived. The box included supplies for the restaurant and a few treats she had ordered for herself!

Chloe sips on an Alani Nu energy drink while she updates spreadsheets and checks the security cameras. She says she can’t go a shift without a little boost from her favorite energy drink.

Chloe checks the beer kegs in the cooler, making sure everything is stocked and ready for the shift. She double-checks the lines and pressure to keep the drinks flowing smoothly all night.

As the crowd begins to fill in, Chloe helps the bartenders by pouring beers from the tap. Even though she’s not behind the bar every night, Chloe knows that helping out keeps things running smoothly.

Chloe refills fountain drinks at the soda station, helping servers get drinks to their tables quickly. She says, “I don’t mind helping out wherever I can, I like to be a part of the team, not just in charge.”

Chloe updates the schedule on her computer and planner, making sure to add new events and reminders for the coming week. She says she always takes a few minutes to jot things down when they’re fresh in her mind.

Chloe heads to the host stand to check on the seating plan, wipe down tables, and greet guests as they arrive. She believes that keeping an eye on the front ensures everyone feels welcome as soon as they walk in.

Chloe kneels in the storage room, helping a team member put together a new pump that’s needed for service. She likes to pitch in on small tasks like this, showing her team that no job is too small.

Chloe stands on a chair, helping Assistant Manager Lauryn hang up new string lights in the dining area. The two of them make sure everything looks just right for the guests coming in.

As the final rush of the night hits, Chloe jumps onto the expo line to help garnish plates and pull food tickets for the servers. She makes sure every order is correct and gets out to the guests as fast as possible.

As the night winds down, Chloe sits at the computer to process the servers’ checkouts and distribute their tips. She double-checks every bill and payout to make sure everyone’s money is accurate and accounted for.

Chloe counts cash at the computer while showing one of her servers the upcoming week’s schedule. She says keeping everyone in the loop helps things run more smoothly—and keeps the team excited for what’s ahead.

While everyone else finishes up their closing tasks, Chloe gets ahead on stocking the liquor room. “It’s better to do it now than tomorrow,” she says, as she puts more bottles on the shelf.

The restaurant is all clean, and Chloe goes around to turn off all the lights. It’s one of the many closing tasks she handles to make sure everything’s ready for the next day.

Chloe locks the final door of the night, securing the building as the last step before heading home. After a long shift, she makes sure everything is safely locked up for the night.

The last of the crew heads out of the parking lot together to meet up with the rest of the team for a drink. “It was a smooth, fun, and successful shift,” Chloe says as they walk out.