Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Allison Harasin

Evans,GA

Summary

Dynamic Head Chef and Event Manager with a proven track record at Dine By Design Catering, showcasing exceptional leadership and team management skills. Excelled in special event catering, elevating customer satisfaction through innovative menu development and efficient staff coordination. Expert in adaptability, significantly enhancing dining experiences with creative solutions and meticulous planning.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Head Chef and Event Manager

Dine By Design Catering
07.2006 - 08.2010
  • Coordinated employee schedules and developed staff teams to boost productivity.
  • Hired, managed, and trained kitchen staff.
  • Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
  • Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity, and presentation.
  • Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
  • Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
  • Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
  • Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
  • Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
  • Collaborated with front-of-house team to ensure seamless service during high-volume periods, resulting in increased customer satisfaction rates.
  • Assisted in successful menu launches by conducting thorough tastings with key stakeholders to gather feedback for final adjustments before rollout.
  • Fostered a positive working environment by promoting teamwork and open communication among all kitchen staff members.
  • Maintained strict adherence to health department regulations by enforcing proper food handling practices throughout the kitchen area.
  • Designed visually appealing plated presentations that enhanced both taste appeal and overall dining experience for patrons.
  • Created recipes and prepared advanced dishes.
  • Orchestrated catering services for high-profile events, enhancing establishment's reputation for quality and versatility.
  • Led staff meetings to discuss upcoming events, address concerns or challenges, and reinforce company values as well as expectations within the workplace environment.
  • Adapted quickly to industry trends and dietary innovations, ensuring menu remained relevant and appealing.
  • Initiated sustainability audit, reducing environmental impact with eco-friendly practices and sourcing.
  • Cultivated dynamic and supportive kitchen environment, fostering teamwork and effective communication among staff.
  • Implemented new recipes and modern cooking techniques to continuously improve the menu offerings and overall dining experience for guests.
  • Maintained high standards of kitchen cleanliness, consistently passing inspections with exemplary ratings.
  • Trained and managed kitchen personnel and supervised related culinary activity.
  • Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
  • Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
  • Worked closely with front-of-house staff to facilitate excellent customer service.
  • Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
  • Assisted with menu development and planning.
  • Developed and remained accountable for safety, quality, consistency and adherence to standards.
  • Modified recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
  • Implemented innovative event themes and designs to create memorable experiences for attendees.
  • Conducted post-event evaluations to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes in future planning efforts.
  • Delivered prompt payment for event vendors, venues, staff and transportation providers.
  • Implemented contingency plans to address last-minute changes or unforeseen events.
  • Managed event logistics from conception to completion, ensuring every detail contributed to event's success.
  • Collaborated closely with clients throughout the planning process to ensure their vision was accurately reflected in the final event layout.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
  • Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
  • Facilitated team brainstorming sessions that led to innovative solutions for long-standing operational challenges.
  • Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
  • Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.

Volunteer Aide

Bay County Council on Aging Respite Center
09.2019 - 12.2019
  • Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
  • Established trusting relationships with patients through consistent reliability and genuine empathy towards their unique situations.
  • Observed and monitored seniors with dementia.
  • Offered caring companionship and emotional support.
  • Facilitated recreational activities tailored to individual patient interests, promoting social engagement and mental stimulation.
  • Assisted with range-of-motion exercises, contributing to improved mobility and overall health for patients.
  • Supported patients'' mental well-being by engaging in meaningful conversations and offering emotional support.
  • Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.

Kitchen Manager

Summer Kitchen Cafe
05.2004 - 03.2010
  • Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
  • Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
  • Consistently met or exceeded local health department inspection requirements through diligent adherence to safety protocols and maintaining thorough documentation records.
  • Achieved rapid ticket times during peak service hours by effectively managing workflow distribution across various stations.
  • Fostered a collaborative working environment among diverse teams of chefs, line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, and other support staff.
  • Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
  • Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
  • Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
  • Optimized food presentation and plating techniques, elevating overall dining experience.
  • Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen team and service areas for optimal guest experiences.
  • Contributed to a positive workplace culture by actively engaging with staff members, promoting open communication channels, and demonstrating support for ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Improved customer satisfaction with timely and accurate food delivery.
  • Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining meal preparation processes.
  • Resolved conflicts within kitchen team promptly, maintaining positive and productive work environment.
  • Coordinated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service delivery during peak hours.
  • Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
  • Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
  • Reduced health risks and safety hazards by preparing beverage products consistently while creating cleaning schedules, restocking items and sanitizing equipment to adhere to health department standards.
  • Reduced inaccuracies by carefully counting cash and keeping meticulous records of transactions.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Florida State University
Panama City, FL
04-2020

Skills

  • Leadership qualities
  • Team management
  • Forecasting and planning
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Excellent communication
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Problem-solving and complaint resolution
  • Special event catering
  • Performance assessments
  • Staff supervision and coordination

Timeline

Volunteer Aide

Bay County Council on Aging Respite Center
09.2019 - 12.2019

Head Chef and Event Manager

Dine By Design Catering
07.2006 - 08.2010

Kitchen Manager

Summer Kitchen Cafe
05.2004 - 03.2010

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Florida State University
Allison Harasin