Harnek Singh
Restaurant Owner/ Chef
Woburn,MA
Summary
Adaptable and enterprising business owner with solid industry background and proven expertise in building and leading successful teams. Talented problem-solver ready to back up fellow employees at any time. Pursues opportunities to learn new skills and contribute to group success. Offers strong administrative, relationship-building, and problem-solving abilities.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Languages
Work History
Executive Chef and Owner
Bapu G's Gourmet Kebabs And Sandwiches
Foxborough, MA
03.2019 - 01.2022
- Founded and opened a small business from scratch (designed menu, website, marketing, designed interior, balanced very tight budgets, negotiated third- party online vendor contracts)
- Negotiated lease terms, vendors contracts, financial aid, payroll.
- Hired, trained and managed a team of 6 people at all times on culinary techniques to improve productivity and increase kitchen workflows.
- Redesigned/adapted/pivoted business model to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions (Redesigned menu, staffing, hours, lease terms, optimized food preparation procedures to reduce waste)
- Turned the business into a profitable operation (% increase?) in 1 year of opening during the peak of COVID-19 in 2020
- Washed dishes, made appetizers, kebabs, curries, breads, desserts, constantly evolved menu to cater to customers’ requests while maintaining profitability, found ways to streamline workflow to reduce waste and increase productivity and typically worked 7 days a week 12-14 hours a day, never let debt accumulate, paid and managed all invoices/vendors/employees on time,
- Introduced and prepared multiple types of Indian Cuisines to accommodate customer requests.
- Oversaw business operations, inventory control, and customer service for restaurant.
- Modernized processes for kitchen staff to reduce guest wait times and boost daily output.
- Assisted customers in planning corporate events, social galas and gourmet dinners for up to 75 guests.
General Manager
Singh’s Cafe
Wellesley, MA
07.2012 - 03.2019
- Effectively communicated with customers and other business partners to maintain a good working relationship resulting in an excellent understanding of assets and liabilities
- Managed a team of up to 15 employees at any given time, while maintaining high standards and serving up to 300 guests on a busy dinner service
- Maintained inventory, ensured excellent sanitation practices in the kitchen in order to maintain a very tight budget and a smooth operation without disruption of service.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Established and administered annual budget with controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives.
Line Cook
Benedetto
Cambridge, Ma
09.2017 - 03.2018
- Worked with a team of 15, professional chefs in a fine dining Italian restaurant in an extremely competitive and driven environment serving up to 200 guests at a time.
- Responsibilities included training new staff, keeping inventory, butchering fish and poultry, expediting tickets, and ensuring all customers are satisfied
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail and quality.
SpecTrans Driver & Dispatch, Bus Driver &Trainer
PVTA
Amherst, MA
01.2010 - 05.2013
- Responsible for managing 10 vehicles, scheduling rides, and maintaining service on a day to day basis
- Have trained over 4 drivers to drive and communicate with disabled passengers.
- Assisted passengers with disabilities and other physical issues in boarding and exiting bus to promote passenger safety.
- Performed bus driving duties while keeping student safety in mind to maintain good safety record.
Education
Culinary Certificate - Culinary Arts
Cambridge School of Culinary Arts
Cambridge, MA 06.2017 - 09.2017
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
UMASS Amherst, The School of Engineering in UMASS Amherst
Amherst, Ma 09.2009 - 05.2013
Diploma -
Medford High School
Medford, MA 09.2005 - 05.2009
Skills
Customer rapport
Food preparation and safety
Marketing and advertising
Budgeting
Staff Management
Payroll and scheduling
Policy and procedure modification
Excellent multi-tasking ability
Timeline
Executive Chef and Owner
Bapu G's Gourmet Kebabs And Sandwiches
03.2019 - 01.2022
Line Cook
Benedetto
09.2017 - 03.2018
Culinary Certificate - Culinary Arts
Cambridge School of Culinary Arts
06.2017 - 09.2017
General Manager
Singh’s Cafe
07.2012 - 03.2019
SpecTrans Driver & Dispatch, Bus Driver &Trainer
PVTA
01.2010 - 05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
UMASS Amherst, The School of Engineering in UMASS Amherst
09.2009 - 05.2013
Diploma -
Medford High School
09.2005 - 05.2009