Caitlyn Hinrichs
Red Wing,MN
Summary
Culinary Director with a strong background in managing high-demand kitchen operations. Expertise in budgeting, staffing, and maintaining high standards of food safety and employee satisfaction. Proven track record in fostering team collaboration while ensuring exceptional dining experiences for diverse populations.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Stay at Home Parent
Independant
Red Wing, Minnesota
11.2023 - 08.2026
- Organized daily activities and schedules for children's educational and recreational needs.
- Assisted with homework and school projects to support children's educational progress.
- Implemented routines that fostered discipline, responsibility, and independence in children.
- Coordinated playdates and social interactions to enhance children's social skills.
- Managed household tasks including meal planning, budgeting, and grocery shopping.
Campus Culinary Director
Monarch- Green Prairie
Plainview , MN
09.2022 - 11.2023
- Developed innovative culinary programs addressing diverse dietary needs of residents.
- Oversaw inventory and procurement of quality food supplies, ensuring availability for culinary programs.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations in food preparation areas.
- Built strong relationships with residents, enhancing satisfaction with dining experiences.
- Maintained records on all food production systems including recipes and menus used for each meal period.
- Resolved conflicts among kitchen staff, promoting a collaborative and efficient work environment.
Campus Culinary Director
Auburn Homes & Services
Chaska, MN
11.2021 - 09.2022
- Manages a senior living campus which includes a SNF, ALF, MC, and a retail Cafe.
- Led successful culinary merger of ALF and SNF staff, enhancing collaboration and service delivery.
- Communicated with customers to understand culinary needs and preferences and adjusted menus and services in response.
- Consistently maintained high levels of cleanliness, organization, storage and sanitation of food and beverage products to ensure quality.
- Resolved problems or concerns to satisfaction of involved parties.
- Performed walk-throughs to gauge timeliness and excellent service quality.
- Supervised staff preparing and serving up to 345 meals per day.
- Identified root causes of performance trends, developing targeted process improvement plans to ensure safety, health, quality, and customer satisfaction.
- Worked closely with supervisors, chefs and cooks to determine menu plans for special events or occasions.
- Developed diets to meet nutritional requirements for people with special conditions.
- Performed full nutritional assessments, MDSs and resident preference interviews.
- Coordinated staff schedules to ensure proper coverage for all shifts. for 42 personnel, ensuring optimal staffing levels for seamless meal service.
Director of Culinary Services
Ebenezer Lake City
Lake City, MN
10.2020 - 11.2021
- Monitored kitchen staff to ensure compliance with company expectations of taste, speed and presentation.
- Managed foodservice side of a SNF including scheduling, cooking, tasting, ordering ingredients, inventorying and preparing menus.
- Trained all front of house staff on restaurant policies and procedures, guest service techniques and communication skills to ensure positive experience.
Assistant Director of Dining Services
Pine Haven Community
Pine Island, MN
11.2019 - 10.2020
- Performed full nutritional assessments.
- Selected foods appropriate for individual patients' dietary needs.
- Educated patients, families and medical practitioners on nutrition.
- Helped individuals manage chronic illnesses with dietary management strategies.
- Evaluated unique nutrient and energy requirements for each patient based on BMI, lifestyle and individual medical issues.
- Notified registered dietician of individuals identified as high-risk.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Juggled multiple projects and tasks to ensure high quality and timely delivery.
- Demonstrated self-reliance by meeting and exceeding workflow needs.
Interim Director of Dining Services
Pine Haven Community
Pine Island, MN
06.2019 - 11.2019
- Oversaw hiring, training and management of more than 15 personnel across all areas of dining services.
- Kept facility in compliance with applicable safety and sanitation requirements.
- Held daily meetings for all staff to cover policy changes, menu updates and upcoming events.
- Completed frequent checks of food production to assess preparation standards, portioning and performance speed.
- Consistently maintained high levels of cleanliness, organization, storage, and sanitation of food and beverage products to ensure quality.
- Projected inventory needs and maintained levels within ideal parameters.
Dietary Cook
Pine Haven Community
Pine Island, MN
09.2017 - 06.2019
- Maintained routine meal schedules and serving times.
- Properly stored food and handled all inventorying.
- Cooked and served food and meals in accordance with planned menus, diet plans, recipes, portions and temperature control procedures.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, food storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation and safety issues.
- Prepared meals in accordance with operational policies, food safety guidelines and health code requirements.
- Monitored food temperatures to maintain food safety.
Dietary Aide
Pine Haven Community
Pine Island, MN
06.2014 - 09.2017
- Served specific meals to patients with special dietary needs.
- Helped with meal prep for daily meals, following strict sanitation and food handling guidelines
- Assisted patients with special needs to eat meals, providing kindness and patience.
- Adhered to administrative departmental policies and procedures, including safety, health and confidentiality.
Interim Culinary Manager
Atrium- Prescott
Prescott, Wisconsin
08.2026 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations of the kitchen including scheduling, budgeting and inventory control.
- Managed daily kitchen operations and staff scheduling.
- Maintained an organized work environment by delegating tasks among staff members.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss changes in policies or procedures in the kitchen.
- Ordered supplies such as ingredients, kitchen equipment and cleaning materials.
Education
High School Diploma -
Pine Island Secondary
Pine Island, MN06-2015
Some College (No Degree) - General Study
RCTC
Rochester, MNSkills
- Recipe development
- ServSafe
- Sanitation expertise
- Recruitment and hiring
- Purchasing
- Team building
- Geriatric nutrition assessments and MDSs
Personal Information
Title: Experienced Culinary Director
Timeline
Interim Culinary Manager
Atrium- Prescott
08.2026 - Current
Stay at Home Parent
Independant
11.2023 - 08.2026
Campus Culinary Director
Monarch- Green Prairie
09.2022 - 11.2023
Campus Culinary Director
Auburn Homes & Services
11.2021 - 09.2022
Director of Culinary Services
Ebenezer Lake City
10.2020 - 11.2021
Assistant Director of Dining Services
Pine Haven Community
11.2019 - 10.2020
Interim Director of Dining Services
Pine Haven Community
06.2019 - 11.2019
Dietary Cook
Pine Haven Community
09.2017 - 06.2019
Dietary Aide
Pine Haven Community
06.2014 - 09.2017
High School Diploma -
Pine Island Secondary
Some College (No Degree) - General Study
RCTC