Allison Otis
Kalamazoo,MI
Summary
Dedicated culinary professional with strong skills in food preparation, sanitation, and customer service. Proven ability to train staff and maintain high standards of cleanliness and efficiency in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Works well with fellow employees ensuring a friendly environment.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook/Linecook/Catering Associate
Burdicks/ Green Leaf Hospitality
06.2021 - 11.2024
- Prepared and cooked diverse menu items in accordance with food safety standards.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely meal preparation and service delivery.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of workstations to enhance operational efficiency.
- Assisted in inventory management, tracking supplies, and minimizing waste.
- Trained new kitchen staff on proper cooking techniques and safety protocols.
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Managed time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality, visually appealing dishes.
- Collaborated with management team to develop new menu items.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining prep work processes.
- Managed opening and closing shift kitchen tasks.
Barista/Baristta/Baristtta/Cashier Team Lead
Gloria Jeans Coffee
05.2022 - 08.2024
- Delivered exceptional customer service in high-volume coffee shop environment.
- Prepared and served a variety of beverages following established recipes and standards.
- Operated espresso machines and other brewing equipment with precision and care.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of workstations to ensure efficient operations.
- Prepared high-quality beverages using espresso machines and brewing equipment.
- Trained new baristas on beverage preparation and customer service techniques.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of workstations, adhering to safety standards.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring timely restocking of supplies and ingredients.
- Provided exceptional customer service, handling inquiries and resolving concerns efficiently.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace for optimal productivity and safety.
- Promoted a welcoming atmosphere by greeting customers with a friendly demeanor and promptly addressing their needs.
- Pleasantly interacted with customers during hectic periods to promote fun, positive environment.
- Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues promptly to ensure satisfaction and foster loyalty.
- Operated espresso machines and commercial coffee brewers to create beverages.
- Made and served brand-specific café beverages with focus on speed, quality and consistency.
- Trained new employees, sharing knowledge and expertise of coffees, teas, and merchandise.
- Created wide variety of hot and cold drinks in average shifts with consistently positive customer satisfaction scores.
- Trained new team members with positive reinforcement and respectful, encouraging coaching.
- Assisted in inventory management to maintain adequate stock levels and reduce wastage.
- Educated customers on coffee offerings, promoting upselling opportunities and enhancing their overall experience.
- Adhered to strict food hygiene regulations, minimizing risk of contamination or illness among customers.
- Increased repeat business by providing exceptional customer service and building rapport with patrons.
- Learned every menu item's preparation and numerous off-label drinks to meet customer needs.
- Prepared specialty drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes and mochas.
- Used POS system to accurately enter orders and process payments.
- Followed exact recipes for mixing and preparing beverage and food items.
- Helped management keep adequate supply on hand by notifying of shortages.
- Learned special recipe items and seasonal offerings to best meet customer needs.
- Promoted additional items with beverages, increasing store sales.
- Delivered exceptional customer service, enhancing overall guest satisfaction.
Hostess/Barback
Bells Brewery
10.2020 - 02.2021
- Greeted and seated guests, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere.
- Managed reservation system, optimizing table turnover and guest flow.
- Trained new staff on seating protocols and customer service standards.
- Collaborated with kitchen and bar teams to synchronize service efficiency.
- Monitored dining area for cleanliness and organization, maintaining high standards.
- Assisted in special event planning, contributing to seamless execution of functions.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
- Greeted customers warmly upon arrival and provided friendly and warm presence throughout dining experience.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
- Supported servers, food runners, and bussers with keeping dining area ready for every guest.
- Maintained a clean and welcoming environment, ensuring the comfort of guests throughout their visit.
- Assisted in training new host staff, sharing best practices for maintaining a professional demeanor and efficient work habits.
Cook/Linecook/Caterer
Binder Park Zoo
04.2017 - 11.2018
- Prepared diverse menu items adhering to dietary restrictions and seasonal availability.
- Operated kitchen equipment efficiently, ensuring safety and hygiene standards were met consistently.
- Managed inventory levels, assisting in ordering supplies to maintain optimal stock.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline food preparation processes, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Trained new kitchen staff on food safety protocols and operational procedures to uphold quality standards.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Contributed to positive guest experiences by accommodating special dietary needs and requests.
- Coordinated with front of house to ensure smooth service during busy periods, enhancing customer dining experience.
- Streamlined food preparation process, increasing kitchen productivity.
- Coordinated checklists to keep kitchen clean, stocked and sanitary.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen workspace, adhering to safety regulations.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by streamlining prep tasks and effectively organizing workstations.
- Expedited service during peak hours by coordinating with fellow line cooks on timing of dish completion.
- Strengthened team communication through active listening and constructive feedback during shift meetings or one-on-one sessions.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Replenished banquet stations and verified food temperatures and cleanliness of service areas.
- Delivered outstanding customer service throughout the entire event planning process, resulting in repeat business from satisfied clients.
- Set up and disassembled food service stations, equipment and furniture per contract specifications.
- Increased repeat business with exceptional service and attention to detail in event setup and execution.
- Adapted quickly to unexpected changes during events, maintaining high service standards.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Evaluated food products to verify freshness and quality.
Education
High School Diploma -
Kalamazoo Central High School
Kalamazoo, MISkills
- Customer service
- Cooking
- Cleaning and organization
- Food handling
- Food preparation
- Kitchen organization
- Cooking techniques
- Sanitation
- Supply restocking
- Food presentation
- Hospitality and service industry background
- Food handler certification
- New hire training
- Event catering
Timeline
Barista/Baristta/Baristtta/Cashier Team Lead
Gloria Jeans Coffee
05.2022 - 08.2024
Cook/Linecook/Catering Associate
Burdicks/ Green Leaf Hospitality
06.2021 - 11.2024
Hostess/Barback
Bells Brewery
10.2020 - 02.2021
Cook/Linecook/Caterer
Binder Park Zoo
04.2017 - 11.2018
High School Diploma -
Kalamazoo Central High School