- Gardening
- Exploring famous landmarks, historical sites, and cultural attractions in a new destination
- Outdoor Recreation
- Watching Movies and TV Shows
- Music
- Enjoy hobbies that combine physical activity with outdoor exploration
- Animal Care
- Mindfulness Practices
- Team Sports
- Historical Exploration
- Adventure Travel
- Train Travel
- Road Trips
Chester Wood
Lexington
Summary
Attention to detail team collaborator with over thirty years of food service. Passionate about meeting the needs and wants of customers. Recently have acquired many new skills, such as using a pole saw for cutting down tree limbs and branches, weed-eating, mowing, planting flowers and other plants, and various other landscaping and hardscaping techniques. Passionate about these new found skills, and am interested in considering them professionally.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Chef
Phi Kappa Psi - Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA
08.2023 - 05.2026
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen equipment and storage areas.
- Washed dishes and put all items in their proper locations.
- Collaborated with Executive Chef to ensure timely meal service nightly.
- Picked up and delivered large food orders for the fraternity.
- Put out all food for dinner service on evenings the Executive Chef left early.
- Cleaned kitchen work area by sanitizing all cooking equipment, utensils, and counters.
- Stored food safely and orderly in freezer and refrigerator.
Banquet Houseperson
Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center
Natural Bridge, VA
05.2015 - 03.2020
- Set up and break down banquet facilities to ensure readiness for events.
- Coordinate with kitchen and service staff to facilitate smooth event operations.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of banquet areas throughout events.
- Monitor inventory levels of supplies and equipment, ensuring timely replenishment.
- Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency during event setups.
- Resolve guest inquiries and issues promptly, ensuring satisfaction during events.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure seamless execution of all event components, leading to positive guest feedback.
- Optimized furniture arrangement strategies based on specific event requirements, maximizing space utilization without compromising aesthetics or comfort levels for guests.
- Ensured proper storage of equipment after each event, prolonging the lifespan of materials used in banquet settings.
- Supported catering staff in delivering exceptional food service during banquet events, contributing to a memorable dining experience for guests.
- Assisted in the creation of customized floor plans for each event, adhering to clients'' preferences and venue restrictions.
- Assisted with the coordination of logistics for large-scale events, resulting in smooth and successful functions.
- Implemented safety protocols during event setup, minimizing risk of accidents or injuries to staff and guests.
- Adhered to strict timelines for event setup and breakdown, ensuring punctuality and reduced downtime between functions.
- Improved overall event experience by anticipating guest needs and addressing issues promptly.
- Utilized effective problem-solving skills to address unexpected challenges during events, maintaining professionalism under pressure.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by ensuring timely setup and breakdown of banquet events.
- Maintained clean and organized event spaces for optimal functionality and visual appeal.
- Assisted with bussing tables and cleaning up spills.
- Monitored food and beverage supplies, assisting with restocking when needed.
- Arranged tables and chairs for special occasions and events.
- Provided attentive service and proactively assessed guest needs.
- Delivered exceptional guest experiences through attentive service and quick response to issues.
- Addressed customer complaints and inquiries to verify satisfaction.
- Established rapport with customers by providing friendly and attentive service.
- Collaborated with other dining room and bar staff to facilitate efficient service.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Services Counseling
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA05-2004
Skills
- Sanitation practices
- Kitchen safety
- Food spoilage prevention
- Chef support
- Food handling
- Food storage
- Quality assurance
- Customer service
- Productivity optimization
- Special events
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Creative thinking
Interests
Timeline
Assistant Chef
Phi Kappa Psi - Washington and Lee University
08.2023 - 05.2026
Banquet Houseperson
Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center
05.2015 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Science - Human Services Counseling
Old Dominion University