Alejandro Rocha
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Accomplished Executive Chef with a proven track record at Down and Out LLC, enhancing kitchen operations and elevating dining experiences through expert menu planning and staff mentoring. Skilled in food safety and team leadership, I boosted productivity by 30% through innovative training and efficient inventory management. Passionate about creating memorable culinary creations and fostering a culture of excellence in food preparation and presentation.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Sous Chef
Rappahannook Oyster Bar
Los Angeles, CA
01.2023 - Current
- Assist the head chef when required to maintain continuity of service and quality.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Mentored kitchen staff to prepare each for demanding roles.
- Initiated training for new team members on culinary techniques to improve productivity and increase kitchen workflows.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Evaluated food products to verify freshness and quality.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
- Assisted with menu development and planning.
Floor Manager
Catalinas Jazz Club
Los Ángeles Ca
01.2019 - 12.2023
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues, and difficult customers.
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems, and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Made personal recommendations for customers by sharing product knowledge and demonstrating product.
- Performed closing procedures Number times weekly by balancing cash drawers and reconciling credit card transactions.
Executive Chef
Down and Out Llc
Los Ángeles Ca
08.2015 - 08.2019
- Planned promotional menu additions based on seasonal pricing and product availability.
- Generated employee schedules and work assignments and determined appropriate compensation rates.
- Oversaw business operations, inventory control, and customer service for restaurant.
- Developed menus, controlled food costs and oversaw quality, sanitation, and safety processes.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Modernized work processes to reduce guest wait times and boost daily output.
- Requisitioned food, selected and developed recipes and standardized production recipes for consistent quality.
- Implemented food cost and waste reduction initiatives to save money.
- Developed new recipes and flavor combinations to enhance customer dining experience.
- Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Implemented successful cross-marketing strategies such as food and wine pairings.
Education
Associate Of Business Administration - Gastronomy
Universidad Del Valle
Mexico City 08.2005
Skills
- Food Preparation
- Food Safety
- Customer Service
- Portion Control
- Inventory Management
- Cost Control
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Plating
- Employee Scheduling
- Recipes and menu planning
- Seafood Preparation
- Special diets
- Food presentation
- Performance Improvement
- Ordering and Requisitions
- Cooking techniques
- Foodservice
- Catering background
- Staff Training
- Order delivery practices
- Operations Support
- Kitchen Management
- Menu Planning
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Recipe creation
- Team Leadership
- Knife Skills
- Kitchen Organization
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
French
Elementary
Timeline
Sous Chef
Rappahannook Oyster Bar
01.2023 - Current
Floor Manager
Catalinas Jazz Club
01.2019 - 12.2023
Executive Chef
Down and Out Llc
08.2015 - 08.2019
Associate Of Business Administration - Gastronomy
Universidad Del Valle