Claudia López: Worker Spotlight

Worker Highlight

Claudia López: Worker Spotlight

We highlight the amazing Claudia Lopez.

“Originally from NY. I got into the service industry after college. My friend owned 2 bars in the area and offered me employment. I started as the “Hookero” (as the dominicans call it) which is the person that preps and sells the hookahs. Within months I started training on the job as a bartender and slowly grew a side hustle into a piece of my career.

I started in 2018 and have been bartending since. I’ve worked in nightclubs, at concert venues, private parties, hotels and restaurants.

I love that the job is actually challenging. It’s something that you have to grow skill in. It’s rewarding when your knowledge of the craft moves you through an eight hour shift smoothly. It’s something you can show personality through and a routine that you perform/perfect to deliver great service. I also love that it’s something you can do anywhere. I’ve always appreciated that it’s a skill I gained through friendship and its brought me extra income. But, I also think of it as the thing I can “use to move”. In the sense that I can wind up anywhere in the world and create a life by bartending.

I have an extensive list of drink recipes saved in my phone. If I’m ever presented with a drink I don’t know off hand, I check the list 😂. Although, my first question is always “what’s in it?” because drink ingredients are measured and you can more than likely determine how to make it based on its ingredients.

I am the front of house supervisor at a fine dining restaurant.”

Craft Built on Curiosity and Consistency

Claudia’s journey through hospitality is rooted in curiosity and earned confidence. From her early days learning hookah prep to mastering bartending behind high-volume bars and refined fine-dining counters, she’s built her career by asking questions, paying attention, and showing up ready to learn. Her approach to service is intentional, every drink, every interaction, every shift is an opportunity to refine the routine.

What stands out about Claudia is how she blends technical skill with personality. She understands that great service is not just about speed or recipes, it’s about reading the room, anticipating needs, and creating a seamless experience even during the most demanding rushes. That balance is what allows her to move through long shifts smoothly and confidently.

A Skill You Can Carry Anywhere

For Claudia, bartending is more than a job, it’s a portable craft. One that offers independence, flexibility, and the ability to build a life anywhere in the world. Hospitality has given her freedom, extra income, and a sense of ownership over her future. It’s a skill she gained through friendship and community, and one she continues to sharpen with every new environment she steps into.

Her experience across nightclubs, concert venues, private parties, hotels, and restaurants has shaped her into a versatile professional who adapts quickly while maintaining high standards. No matter the setting, her focus stays the same: deliver great service and make every guest feel taken care of.

Leadership on the Floor

Now serving as a Front of House Supervisor at a fine dining restaurant, Claudia leads by example. She understands the pressure of the floor because she’s lived it. Her leadership style is hands-on, supportive, and rooted in respect for the craft and the people doing the work. She knows that strong teams are built during busy shifts, not meetings, and that consistency is what separates good service from great service.

Always Learning, Always Prepared

Claudia’s ever-growing list of drink recipes saved on her phone says a lot about how she works. She believes that knowledge is power behind the bar. If a drink isn’t familiar, she breaks it down by ingredients, ratios, and technique, proving that confidence comes from understanding the fundamentals.

That mindset, preparation, curiosity, and adaptability, is what keeps her sharp and reliable in fast-paced environments where there’s no room for guesswork.

Why Claudia Represents Quench

Claudia represents the kind of service professional Quench is built for. Skilled, adaptable, proud of the craft, and grounded in real-world experience. Her story reflects what happens when talent is given space to grow, be seen, and move forward.

Through Quench Marketplace, professionals like Claudia get the spotlight they deserve, not just for where they work, but for the skill, effort, and personality they bring to every shift.