Stefania Merlino

Hospitality professional with cross-disciplinary experience in fine dining, wine, event management and arts. Known for thoughtful service, proactivity, and strategic planning. Seeking to bring enthusiastic adaptability and operational know-how to a high-performing restaurant team in København.

FOH manager | sommelier 
Erbaluigia, Pisa (IT) _ Mar 2023 - Jul 2025

• Directed FOH operations and trained 8 waiters and a maître in sales, and service, earning Michelin recognition for 3 years
• Created and executed marketing strategies, and managed CRM systems, POS software, website, and booking platforms
• Curated the wine list and the cellar, pairings, and selections
• Managed VIPs and groups (quotes, invoicing, deals with tour operators, agencies, and hotels), contributing 30-40% of turnover in peak months
• Collaborated constantly with GM and PM to drive food engine, customer satisfaction, service flow optimization, events, orders, and turnover

operations manager | partnership coordinator
Internet Festival, Pisa (IT) _ Sep 2021 - Oct 2024

• Organized prize competitions and games, coordinating contracts and relationships with over 130 stakeholders
• Boosted festival promotion and engagement, increasing attendance among 16-25 year olds by 38% and retailer partnerships by 320% compared to 2019
• Coordinated events for multiple venues, overseeing guest reception, volunteers, tech support for speakers, and KPI reporting

waitress | barista | sommelier assistant
Various companies (IT) _ Jun 2007 - Dec 2022

• Built experience in high-paced venues during busy seasons at Radici (Pisa), Bar Roma (Pisa), Ristorante Nenzyna (Lipari), La Trattoria d’Oro (now Osteria Pomice, Rottofreno), La Ginestra (now Al Bivio, Lipari), and Agriturismo Zu Peppinu (Lipari), totaling approx. 28-30 months
• Mastered multiple service styles and ordering systems
• Served 100+ patrons daily, consistently maintaining high satisfaction
• Preparation of drinks, coffee, desserts, and small plates

• Master’s Degree in Art History and New Media, University of Pisa (2025)
• Coffee Origins & cup tasting, Le PIantagioni del Caffé x Filter (2024)
• Food Handler Certification, Checkfood (2024)
• Bachelor’s in Cultural Heritage, University of Pisa (2018)