Mixing, Managing, Mastering: Meet Chuck Kast, San Vicente Resort's Front of House Manager

Chuck Kast brings over 12 years of experience as a restaurant general manager, with a proven track record of managing large teams in fast-paced environments. As Front of House Manager, Kast leads the service team, the bar, live music, Meet the Winemaker events, and trivia events. He works as a team member with the chef and kitchen staff, collaborating with the San Vicente Resort amenity team, which includes catering, golf, and the Lodge. He says his experience has helped him prepare and manage the large team here at the San Vicente Resort.

He plans to elevate the dining experience at The Oaks Grille by bringing his service, upscale cocktail, and craft beer knowledge to match the excellent menu Chef Ben has created. The vision he has for The Par Lounge is a family-friendly atmosphere with exceptional service. He aims to understand the demographics and create a beer and cocktail menu that reflects the community. He was also excited to introduce his Bacon Old Fashioned to the San Vicente Resort last summer, and it’s a best seller now.

Kast aims to make everyone's experience a memorable one. Hospitality has always been a passion of his, and it means a lot to him to know that people are choosing to spend their time at the resort when they have a lot of other options. When describing his service philosophy, Kast says there is no limit to what he will do to ensure guests have a special experience.

He plans to keep his team motivated and inspired by working alongside them and showing them that he would not ask anything of them that he wouldn't expect from himself. "I like to lead by example and ensure that my team is always set up for success," says Kast. In addition, he emphasizes that training is crucial for creating a wonderful experience for the guests.

In this industry, balancing cost-control with high-quality dining experiences is crucial. Kast intends to maintain that balance through cross-training, waste control, and smart scheduling. He will also be working with vendors to ensure the highest quality of food and drinks for the resort. He has experience working with vendors and says it's always important to negotiate prices and to stay informed on new industry trends.

Hospitality is about connection, and Kast's primary goal is to host guests in the restaurants and catered group settings with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere. He will be gathering guest feedback and implementing higher service standards to further enhance theme nights like Trivia Night and Meet the Winemaker. He wants to make sure that all of their guests feel like part of the San Vicente Resort family.

If he had to describe his ideal guest experience at San Vicente Resort, he says that they will always exceed guests' expectations and make it a memorable experience. In his opinion, what sets San Vicente apart from other venues in the region is the upscale experience at a reasonable price point.

As he begins this new chapter, he is hopeful that it will be his final stop in his career. "After researching the resort, I really liked the golf course, the food, and learning more about Ramona," says Kast. He sees a great deal of potential and is excited to be a part of the San Vicente family.

Please join us in welcoming Chuck Kast to the San Vicente Resort team. Next time you visit The Oaks Grille, Par Lounge, or one of the events at the resort, be sure to say hello and introduce yourself.