Ashaani Blackwood
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Skilled Chef Helper with experience in assisting lead chefs in high-pressure kitchen environments. Strengths include understanding of food preparation techniques, ability to follow instructions effectively and strong teamwork skills. Previous roles have demonstrated value through consistent support to culinary teams, contributing to improved efficiency and quality in meal production.
Experienced professional with solid background in foodservice. Offers excellent track record of tackling various tasks to support kitchen and wait staff. Demonstrates genuine hospitality to establish rapport with patrons and deliver memorable experiences.
Hardworking and reliable employee with extensive background operating cash registers, stocking merchandise and providing excellent customer service. Highly organized, proactive and punctual. Works well within team settings.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Chef Helper
Golden Krust
Brooklyn, NY
09.2024 - Current
- Assisted in the preparation and presentation of meals according to recipes and standards.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, and silverware.
- Stocked food items into refrigerators or freezers as needed.
- Organized all kitchen supplies including ingredients, cookware, tools, equipment and storage containers.
- Maintained a clean working environment by sweeping floors, washing walls and removing garbage from kitchen area.
- Transported prepared food from kitchen to serving areas using carts or trays.
- Kept up with current health code standards for sanitation and safety practices.
- Observed proper food handling procedures when preparing foods for cooking or serving.
- Sliced vegetables such as onions, mushrooms and peppers for salads or other dishes.
- Plated meals according to restaurant specifications in an attractive manner.
- Carved meats such as chicken breasts, steaks or pork loins for entrées.
- Checked temperatures of ovens and grills with thermometers to ensure proper heating levels.
- Operated commercial dishwashers to wash dishes quickly while ensuring sanitary conditions.
- Utilized effective cleaning and sanitation procedures and observed proper food handling to prevent illness and disease.
- Prepared and cooked food under head chef's direction, following recipes and cooking instructions.
- Cleaned and sanitized food preparation areas, complying with hygiene codes and health and safety standards.
- Organized prep list and coordinated efficient work to be ready for fast-paced banquet cooking operations.
- Supported chefs in managing food preparation to achieve precise plating and presentation.
- Monitored food expiration dates and removed rotated items to prevent foodborne illnesses.
- Stocked food stations before shifts with items and equipment needed for recipes.
- Sliced fruit and vegetables for various menu items and stored for later use in crisper.
- Maintained high standards of customer service during high-volume work shifts and fast-paced operations.
- Cleaned and sanitized kitchen equipment, utensils and work stations.
- Cleaned and sanitized utensils, dishes or silverware.
- Observed food safety and sanitation protocols to reduce germ spread.
Cashier
Real Caribbean pot
Brooklyn, NY
06.2024 - 09.2024
- Greeted customers and answered any questions they had about the store's products and services.
- Verified that customers were of legal age to purchase alcohol or tobacco products.
- Operated cash register efficiently and accurately, processed payments by cash, check, credit card, gift card or automatic debit.
- Counted money in cash drawer at the beginning of shift to ensure that amounts were correct and have sufficient change.
- Issued receipts, refunds, credits or change due to customers.
- Stocked shelves with merchandise when needed.
- Answered customer inquiries regarding store policies and procedures.
- Processed returns and exchanges of merchandise in accordance with store policies.
- Conducted price checks for special orders or discounts as requested by customers.
- Assisted customers over the phone regarding store operations, product information and order placement.
- Maintained cleanliness of checkout area including countertops, registers, windowsills and floors.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations within the store environment.
- Provided excellent customer service while promoting loyalty programs to increase sales potential.
- Accepted cash and credit card payments, issued receipts and provided change.
- Collected payments and provided accurate change.
- Delivered high level of customer service to patrons using active listening and engagement skills.
- Helped customers find specific products, answered questions, and offered product advice.
- Worked closely with front-end staff to assist customers.
- Processed sales transactions to prevent long customer wait times.
Chef/Restaurant Cashier
Peppa's Jerk chicken
Brooklyn, NY
08.2021 - 03.2024
- Planned menus, ordered supplies and managed kitchen staff.
- Monitored food preparation methods, portion sizes and garnishing of dishes to ensure that food was prepared in accordance with the restaurant's recipes and presentation standards.
- Ensured compliance with all health, safety and hygiene regulations within the kitchen area.
- Trained new chefs on proper cooking techniques and menu items.
- Kept up to date with current culinary trends, as well as health and safety regulations.
- Maintained a clean work environment by adhering to sanitation policies and procedures.
- Reviewed operational records to determine amount of food used in order to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
- Supervised team members during meal service to ensure accuracy of orders.
- Checked quality of raw materials before use.
- Resolved customer complaints regarding food quality or service issues.
- Inspected kitchen equipment for cleanliness and functionality prior to use.
- Monitored kitchen area and staff to maintain overall safety and establish proper food handling techniques.
- Exercised portion control for items served, eliminating waste.
- Instructed cooks and other workers in preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food
- Inspected freezers and refrigerators prior to each shift to check temperature levels and verify proper functionality.
- Delegated tasks and supervised kitchen staff to optimize food preparation, presentation and safety.
Chef
Krusty Krab
Brooklyn, NY
06.2018 - 11.2020
- Planned menus, ordered supplies and managed kitchen staff.
- Monitored food preparation methods, portion sizes and garnishing of dishes to ensure that food was prepared in accordance with the restaurant's recipes and presentation standards.
- Ensured compliance with all health, safety and hygiene regulations within the kitchen area.
- Kept up to date with current culinary trends, as well as health and safety regulations.
- Maintained a clean work environment by adhering to sanitation policies and procedures.
- Developed creative ideas for special events or promotions involving food preparation or presentation.
- Reviewed operational records to determine amount of food used in order to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
- Supervised team members during meal service to ensure accuracy of orders.
- Checked quality of raw materials before use.
- Resolved customer complaints regarding food quality or service issues.
- Stored foods correctly using correct storage containers and labelling systems.
- Inspected kitchen equipment for cleanliness and functionality prior to use.
- Monitored kitchen area and staff to maintain overall safety and establish proper food handling techniques.
- Exercised portion control for items served, eliminating waste.
Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Four t's restaurant
Brooklyn, NY
05.2016 - 11.2018
- Prepared ingredients for use in cooking, such as washing, peeling, cutting and slicing vegetables.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas and equipment to ensure food safety standards.
- Followed recipes to prepare meals according to customer specifications.
- Stocked kitchen with necessary supplies, including food items and utensils.
- Monitored inventory levels of all kitchen items and placed orders when needed.
- Operated grills, ovens and other kitchen equipment as required for meal preparation.
- Organized walk-in coolers and freezers according to established guidelines.
- Assisted in serving meals to customers as needed.
- Heated sauces, soups and gravies according to specified methods.
- Measured ingredients accurately using measuring cups and spoons.
- Adhered strictly to safety regulations while handling sharp knives or operating machinery.
- Communicated effectively with fellow staff members regarding meal preparations.
- Discarded spoiled food items immediately following established procedures.
- Kept the kitchen area clean at all times during shifts.
- Maintained clean and orderly kitchen by regularly washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and taking out trash.
- Prepped vegetables and ingredients by washing, chopping and dicing.
- Organized and labeled stock of ingredients to maintain needed inventory levels.
- Utilized excellent knife skills to chop and slice vegetables and carve and grind meats and cheeses.
- Measured and weighed food items to comply with portion requirements.
- Sliced meats to prepare for cooking and assembly of menu items.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Monitored freshness of food products to help reduce spoilage.
- Retained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Operated grills and steamers to prepare vegetables, potatoes, rice and meats.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Sanitized workstation at end of shift to minimize risk of salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
Dishwasher/Food Service Worker/Host
Beso Spanish Cuisine
Brooklyn, NY
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Scrubbed and sanitized dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and other kitchen equipment.
- Operated industrial dishwashers to clean plates, glasses, silverware, and cooking utensils.
- Loaded dirty dishes into the dishwasher racks and unloaded clean dishes from the washer onto carts or shelves.
- Disposed of glassware that had been broken or chipped according to safety procedures.
- Removed garbage and trash to designated disposal areas in accordance with health regulations.
- Cleaned food preparation areas such as countertops, cupboards, appliances exteriors, walls floors and sinks.
- Swept and mopped floors in the kitchen area at regular intervals throughout shift.
- Inspected all returned dishes for cleanliness before restocking them on shelves.
- Replenished soap dispensers with detergent when necessary.
- Unloaded deliveries from vendors ensuring that all items were accounted for.
- Ensured that workstations were kept neat and tidy throughout the shift.
- Scrubbed pots, pans and trays by hand or cleaned using industrial washing machine.
- Kept dishware, glasses and utensils ready for customer needs by quickly scraping, washing and restacking items.
- Loaded and unloaded dishwashers, washing by hand large pots or items used on continuous basis.
- Sanitized counters and wiped down surfaces following food preparation to prevent cross-contamination from raw meats.
- Operated and maintained dishwasher, handwash stations, pot-scrubbing station and trash compactor.
- Maintained assigned areas to keep organized and clean by mopping floor.
- Backed up kitchen team members during heavy work periods to maximize team coverage.
- Replaced clean utensils in storage bins for easy access.
- Removed built-up waste and potential contaminants from waste receptacles, machinery, and cooking equipment.
- Repaired and maintained dishwashing machine to keep dishes clean and kitchen running smoothly.
- Studied methods of coworkers, successfully learning kitchen, and food service skills.
Education
High School Diploma -
Jamaica College
Jamaica Jamaica01-2005
Skills
- Food cost control
- Food presentation
- Cooking techniques
- Recipe execution
- Food handling
- Chef support
- Dish preparation
- Food spoilage prevention
- Cooking support
- Order Fulfillment
- Inventory Management
- Reliability
- Prepare ingredients
- Organize supplies
- Food safety practices
- Portion out servings
- Inventory receiving
- Adaptability
- Time management abilities
- Vegetable preparation
- Grilling Techniques
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Proper storage and preservation
- Maintain food safety
- Knife use
- Team contribution
- Soup preparation
- Meat and vegetable preparation
- Team Coordination
- Multitasking
- Chopping vegetables
- Grilling
- Safe handling
- Catering experience
- Preparation techniques
- Kitchen Sanitation
- Problem-solving abilities
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Professionalism
- Equipment Operation
- Sandwich making
- Work station sanitation
- Food preservation and storage methods
- Local Ingredient Sourcing
- Product restocking
- Cash handling expertise
- Cash register systems
- Online orders preparation
- Written and verbal communication
- Identification checks
- Point of sale system
- Customer service excellence
- Credit and cash transactions
- Refunds and exchanges
- POS system operations
- Hospitality and accommodation
Timeline
Chef Helper
Golden Krust
09.2024 - Current
Cashier
Real Caribbean pot
06.2024 - 09.2024
Chef/Restaurant Cashier
Peppa's Jerk chicken
08.2021 - 03.2024
Chef
Krusty Krab
06.2018 - 11.2020
Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Four t's restaurant
05.2016 - 11.2018
Dishwasher/Food Service Worker/Host
Beso Spanish Cuisine
01.2016 - 12.2016
High School Diploma -
Jamaica College