AJ DeCambra
Makawao,HI
Summary
High-performing Chef offering 20+ years of restaurant experience. Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. Talent for building streamlined, cohesive teams. High-performing individual with solid background in culinary arts. Skilled in creating innovative and delicious dishes while managing kitchen staff and inventory. Efficient and committed to keeping high standards of food safety and sanitation.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Sous Chef
Waicoco Maui
12.2020 - Current
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain stellar business reputation.
- Verified compliance in preparation of menu items and customer special requests.
- Developed menus, controlled food costs and oversaw quality, sanitation, and safety processes.
- Delivered excellent food quality and maximized customer satisfaction by preparing meals according to customer requests.
- Oversaw business operations, inventory control, and customer service for restaurant.
- Generated employee schedules and work assignments and determined appropriate compensation rates.
- Initiated training for new team members on culinary techniques to improve productivity and increase kitchen workflows.
- Created a boat catering program for Teralani. Catered for 5 catamarans with up to 6 trips daily.
Cook
Colleens At Haiku Cannery
02.2019 - 12.2020
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
Sous Chef
Berach Bums BBQ
08.2017 - 02.2019
- Acted as head chef when required to maintain continuity of service and quality.
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Mentored kitchen staff to prepare each for demanding roles.
Assistant Head Baker
Maui Bread Company
01.2017 - 08.2017
- Produced consistently high-quality baked goods for customers.
- Collaborated with team members to complete tasks and maintain smooth running of bakery.
- Operated and maintained bakery equipment, including ovens and mixers.
- Complied with health and safety codes to protect staff and customers.
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Pukalani Superette
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
Lead Cook
Monkeypod Kitchen
07.2011 - 01.2015
- Supervised line cooks to monitor food safety and order accuracy.
- Delegated jobs within kitchen depending on restaurant traffic and employee skill.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Mentored kitchen staff to prepare each for demanding roles.
- Obtained fresh, local ingredients to improve dish flavors and limit grocery costs.
Cook
Merrimans Kapalua
01.2010 - 07.2011
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
Cook
Spago Four Seasons Wailea
08.2009 - 01.2010
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
Cook
Longhi's Wailea
06.2006 - 08.2009
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
Worker
McDonald's Pukalani
08.2003 - 05.2006
- Worked fast to complete tasks and meet daily deadlines.
Education
No Degree - Culinary Arts
UH Maui College
Kahului, HIHigh School Diploma -
King Kekaulike High School
Pukalani, HI05.2006
Skills
- Hiring, Training and Development
- High-Volume Environments
- Performance Improvement
- Kitchen Staff Management
- Creative Thinking
- Hygiene Policy Implementation
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Catering and Events
- Create Recipes
- Attention to Detail
- Cleaning and Sanitation
Timeline
Executive Sous Chef
Waicoco Maui
12.2020 - Current
Cook
Colleens At Haiku Cannery
02.2019 - 12.2020
Sous Chef
Berach Bums BBQ
08.2017 - 02.2019
Assistant Head Baker
Maui Bread Company
01.2017 - 08.2017
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Pukalani Superette
01.2015 - 01.2017
Lead Cook
Monkeypod Kitchen
07.2011 - 01.2015
Cook
Merrimans Kapalua
01.2010 - 07.2011
Cook
Spago Four Seasons Wailea
08.2009 - 01.2010
Cook
Longhi's Wailea
06.2006 - 08.2009
Worker
McDonald's Pukalani
08.2003 - 05.2006
No Degree - Culinary Arts
UH Maui College
High School Diploma -
King Kekaulike High School