Annette Hunnings
New Freedom,PA
Summary
I am a 46 year old Mother of two looking to expand my horizons with a new career that best fits my current needs. Although I love my current position, it has taken a toll on me, (somewhat) physically. It does not allow me to be financially stable to care for my children and self. I am extremely artistic and a caregiver. I am very passionate about all types of art (all mediums) & food, the industry behind both fields and the combination of the two. I also enjoy vegetable gardening, the outdoors, keeping the natural elements first hand preserving nature and all its beauty.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Cake Decorator
Browns Orchards
8892 Susquehanna Trail, PA
03.2022 - Current
- Assisted customers with planning cake vision, including color, theme and size.
- Mixed colors and flavors of frosting to create desired aesthetic effects on cakes.
- Formulated designs based on customer specifications.
- Finished baked goods with glazes, icings and other toppings.
- Prepared buttercream icing for use in cake decoration projects.
- Answered phone calls, put in orders and handled customer disputes or complaints.
- Created custom cakes for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries.
- Used pastry bags and tips to pipe messages and decorative roses onto cakes.
- Organized store by returning merchandise to proper areas and restocked displays.
- Kept up with industry trends regarding new flavor combinations and design ideas.
- Reviewed expiration dates on items and removed expired products from stock to maintain quality.
- Organized supplies to ensure efficient workflow during cake decorating process.
- Provided guidance to other team members regarding proper cake decorating techniques.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Caregiver, Special Needs
Handicap Individual
Stewartstown, PA
04.2016 - Current
- Encouraged residents to participate in activities of daily living to enhance personal dignity.
- Encouraged independence while promoting self-care skills such as bathing, grooming and toileting needs.
- Assisted with meal planning to meet nutritional plans.
- Obtained sources of entertainment for clients to provide full and enjoyable daily activities.
- Maintained cleanliness of clients' environment by cleaning surfaces and washing clothes or dishes.
- Consulted with client care team to continually update care plans.
- Organized oral medications for clients following dosage and schedule requirements.
Head Cake Decorator
Giant Food Stores
Shrewsbury, PA
05.2014 - 08.2020
- Head cake decorator fulfilling duties of excellent customer service. Implemented & executed inventory control,ordering products to maintain increased sales. Mass production of all occasion cakes and pastries. Customized artwork/designs specified to customer needs.
Dessert R&D
Itaberco
Baltimore, MD
08.2010 - 10.2012
- Researched flavors to create gelato and soft serve yogurt.
- Developed new flavor combinations in a food lab with raw materials. Created recipes and formulations in small batches, once tested, developed and approved, sent to production for mass development and shipping.
- Contacted & negotiated with suppliers/vendors to retrieve manageable food cost for the company and development of our products
Cake Decorator
Giant Food Stores
Red Lion, PA
11.2007 - 07.2010
- Decorated cakes for all occasions. Used photo software to create edible images.
- Provided inventory skills and organization to maintain cost control and a safe clean environment.
- Assisted customers with their specific requests to fulfill their entertaining needs.
Lead Cake and Pastry Decorator
Wolford's European Bakery Catering& Cafe
Towson, MD
03.1999 - 05.2005
- Designed intricate decorations on cakes using fondant, buttercream frosting, marzipan, chocolate glazes, fresh fruit garnishes.
- Ordered supplies necessary to maintain efficient operations within the bakery.
- Developed training programs for new employees related to preparing cakes and pastries according to established standards.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors for ingredients needed for cake production.
- Assisted customers with selecting appropriate cake designs based on their individual needs or preferences.
- Created custom designed cakes and pastries for special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events.
- Ensured compliance with health regulations regarding sanitation, food storage, and temperature controls.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Mentored baking staff in proper techniques and bakery procedures.
- Controlled inventory of supplies used during events such as linens, china plates, bowls, glasses, utensils, making sure none went missing or unaccounted for at end of night.
- Assembled and served meals according to specific guest requirements.
- Used proper cleaning supplies and methods to disinfect counters where raw meat, poultry, fish and eggs had been prepared.
- Operated kitchen equipment in alignment with OSHA protocols and manufacturer instructions.
- Supported chefs in managing food preparation to achieve precise plating and presentation.
- Chopped ingredients and prepped food items ahead of lunchtime and dinner rush periods.
- Set up banquet tables and chairs in accordance with event specifications.
- Prepared workstations with ingredients and tools to increase efficiency.
- Maintained high standards of customer service during high-volume work shifts and fast-paced operations.
- Explained food preparation methods and ingredients to enable patrons with food allergies to make educated decisions.
- Communicated effectively with other members of the catering staff throughout events to ensure a smooth flow of operations.
- Served guest tables by transporting meals and beverages from kitchen and bar areas.
Pastry Assistant
Marriot Hotel
Hunt Valley, MD
02.1998 - 02.1999
- I trained under a european pastry chef. I had the opportunity to learn hands on the basics of pastry arts 101, buffets, catering weddings in a hotel setting.
- I had one on one experience with catering, starting from the kitchen to the dining room and event hall.
- I have experience with prep cook, and working a line under the supervision of an expediter and chef
Cashier Team Lead
Giant Food Stores
Shrewsbury, PA
09.1994 - 12.1997
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Welcomed customers, offering assistance to help find store items.
- Assisted cashiers with resolving customer complaints and inquiries.
- Maintained clean and orderly checkout areas by sanitizing register belts, emptying trash cans and organizing candy racks.
- Processed refunds for worn, damaged and broken merchandise.
- Scanned items and checked pricing on cash register for accuracy.
- Monitored cashier performance, providing feedback as needed.
- Trained and mentored new cashiers to maximize performance with skilled, efficient and knowledgeable team members.
- Completed paperwork related to personnel actions including hiring, terminations, transfers.
- Screened applicants for hire and assisted with training individuals for cashier positions.
- Scanned, priced and bagged customer groceries quickly to keep lines moving.
- Processed customer payments quickly and returned exact change and receipts.
- Coordinated with other departments when additional support was needed during peak hours.
- Maintained current knowledge of store promotions to highlight sales to customers.
- Adhered to social distancing protocols and wore mask or face shield.
- Performed daily opening and closing procedures for the register area.
- Counted and balanced cashier drawers.
- Verified customer age requirement for alcohol or tobacco purchases.
- Assisted with training new cashiers and customer service team members to increase speed of onboarding.
- Learned roles of other departments to provide coverage and keep store operational.
Education
Associate of Arts - Art Therapy
Essex Community College
Essex Maryland 01-1998
High School Diploma
Kennard-Dale High School
Fawn Grove, PA06-1995
Skills
- Artistic & Creative
- Excellent customer service
- Cake Decorator
- Color Mixing Skills (all mediums edible and non)
- Icing Methods
- Design Techniques
- Stock Rotation
- Quality Assurance
- Inventory control
- Team Collaboration
- Cooking Meals
- Relationship Building
- Caring Companionship
- Meal Planning and Preparation
Timeline
Cake Decorator
Browns Orchards
03.2022 - Current
Caregiver, Special Needs
Handicap Individual
04.2016 - Current
Head Cake Decorator
Giant Food Stores
05.2014 - 08.2020
Dessert R&D
Itaberco
08.2010 - 10.2012
Cake Decorator
Giant Food Stores
11.2007 - 07.2010
Lead Cake and Pastry Decorator
Wolford's European Bakery Catering& Cafe
03.1999 - 05.2005
Pastry Assistant
Marriot Hotel
02.1998 - 02.1999
Cashier Team Lead
Giant Food Stores
09.1994 - 12.1997
Associate of Arts - Art Therapy
Essex Community College
High School Diploma
Kennard-Dale High School