Christina Caldwell
Decatur,GA
Summary
Proven culinary professional with extensive experience at Red Star Matteson, adept in food safety and quality control, and known for exceptional team leadership. Skillfully blends culinary expertise with a professional attitude to deliver high customer satisfaction and efficiency. Achieved near-perfect customer feedback by prioritizing food presentation talent and kitchen organization. Dynamic food service professional within fast food landscape. Driven toward continuous improvement and committed to going above and beyond to complete tasks and assist other team members. Well-versed in standard food prep techniques as well as safe food-handling standards, demonstrated across 14 years of experience. Cooking is my passion. European cuisine is a favorite and I pride myself in attention to detail, presentation and flavor.
"There is no sincerer love, than the love of food" - George Bernard Shaw
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Line Cook
Red Star Matteson
Matteson, IL
06.2024 - Current
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Followed restaurant stock management schedule to monitor product freshness and rotate out old products.
- Cultivated a positive working atmosphere among kitchen staff, fostering camaraderie and a strong sense of teamwork.
- Produced high volume covers per day and maintained near-perfect customer satisfaction scores.
- Maintained high-quality food standards by ensuring consistent execution of recipes and presentation techniques.
- Prepared ingredients ahead of time to promote efficiency in dish garnishing.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Developed strong teamwork skills by collaborating with other line cooks to maintain a smooth workflow during busy shifts.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Implemented effective time-management strategies while prioritizing multiple tasks simultaneously without sacrificing quality or consistency of food items prepared.
- Upheld strict adherence to food safety regulations by regularly sanitizing workstations and monitoring cooking temperatures for optimal results.
Line Cook
Hidden Manna Cafe
Matteson, IL
04.2024 - 06.2024
- Determined quantity of product to prepare for next day operation by maintaining detailed production schedule.
- Developed new pastry recipes for seasonal menus, resulting in increased sales and positive feedback.
- Maintained a clean and organized kitchen workspace, ensuring compliance with health regulations.
- Mixed icing and other toppings by reading recipes, scaling, and measuring ingredients and operating mixer.
- Produced allergy-friendly gluten-, dairy- and egg-free variations of classic recipes.
- Monitored quality of ingredients used in recipes to maintain consistency and safety standards.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by creating visually appealing and delicious pastries.
- Collaborated with the culinary team to create unique dessert offerings that complemented main dishes.
- Enhanced food quality by ensuring proper cooking times and temperatures for various fried foods.
- Contributed to a positive team environment, collaborating with fellow cooks and staff members.
- Operated fryers and grills by pouring oil and placing food items on surface to fry or grill.
- Stored food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent cross-contamination and spoilage.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Cleaned and maintained fryers and grills to keep appliances in working condition.
- Exceeded customer expectations with timely preparation of high-quality fried dishes that met their specifications.
- Sauteed and seasoned meats, pastas and vegetables to customer taste preference.
- Regularly cleaned and maintained grilling equipment to ensure peak performance at all times.
- Restocked and rotated food items according to expiry dates to minimize waste.
- Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications.
Personal Chef
The Goddess Shop
Atlanta, GA
09.2023 - 04.2024
- Planned menus that incorporated healthy, fresh food sourced from local farmers and stores.
- Prepared and served meals for small dinner parties and large events and complied with diet requests and special accommodations.
- Developed menus, controlled food costs and oversaw quality, sanitation, and safety processes.
- Received consistently positive feedback from clients for exceptional taste and presentation of prepared meals.
- Designed and prepared all menu items for private home/office setting.
- Conducted comprehensive nutritional analyses of dishes to accommodate clients'' specific health goals or dietary restrictions.
- Increased repeat business through referrals by maintaining excellent rapport with clients while respecting confidentiality agreements.
- Shopped at specialty grocery stores to obtain ingredients needed for food preparation.
- Developed and maintained an extensive repertoire of recipes to cater to diverse tastes and dietary requirements while staying current with global food trends.
- Cleaned meal preparation areas and washed hands frequently to promote hygienic and sanitary practices.
- Provided attentive service during meal preparation and presentation, ensuring an enjoyable dining experience for clients.
- Showcased culinary expertise by preparing a wide range of international cuisines, adapting recipes based on client preferences.
- Prepared meals using braising, roasting, frying and sautéing techniques.
- Collaborated with clients to design and execute memorable special events, including weddings, birthday parties, and corporate functions.
Lead Sauté Chef
Mckendrick's Steakhouse
Atlanta, GA
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Displayed correct recipes on monitor during prepping, frying and sautéing process to prepare ingredients and plate dishes to business standards.
- Followed instructions to cook menu items in cooperation with kitchen staff.
- Chopped vegetables, butchered meat and made sauces to prepare food for service.
- Cooled, stored, labeled and dated food products appropriately to maximize ingredient freshness when preparing recipes.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
- Monitored food production to verify quality and consistency.
- Disciplined and dedicated to meeting high-quality standards.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Trained and managed kitchen personnel and supervised related culinary activity.
- Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
- Developed new recipes and flavor combinations to enhance customer dining experience.
- Implemented food cost and waste reduction initiatives to save money.
- Modified recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
Line Manager
Duckworth's Grill And Taphouse
Charlotte, NC
08.2020 - 09.2022
- Coordinated cross-functional projects for improved product quality and timely delivery.
- Reduced employee turnover through effective communication, regular feedback, and promoting a positive work environment.
- Managed a team of skilled professionals to achieve key performance indicators consistently.
- Improved production efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing lean manufacturing techniques.
- Cultivated an environment of teamwork by encouraging collaboration among team members from diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
- Developed comprehensive training programs to enhance staff skills and boost productivity levels.
- Played a pivotal role in achieving business growth targets through strategic planning and execution of initiatives.
- Increased profitability by optimizing resource allocation and reducing operational costs.
- Conducted regular performance reviews to identify areas for improvement and provide constructive feedback.
- Streamlined inventory control systems for enhanced accuracy and reduced waste levels.
- Implemented safety protocols that significantly reduced workplace accidents and injuries.
- Created streamlined production schedules and collaborated with production employees to communicate objectives and goals.
- Determined suitable crew requirements, scheduled employees, and worked with human resources to meet changing production schedules.
- Partnered with leadership on recruiting, hiring and coaching production personnel.
- Created and oversaw production schedules and adjusted as needed to meet deadlines.
- Monitored inventory levels and restocking schedules to avoid production delays from unavailable materials.
- Enforced health and safety protocols to promote safe working environment.
- Scrutinized production output and identified areas for improvement.
- Oversaw routine maintenance programs and scheduled service to keep equipment functioning at peak levels.
- Managed personnel by implementing company policies, procedures, work rules, and disciplinary action.
Education
High School Diploma -
Paintsville High School
Prestonsburg, KY01.2011
Skills
- Food safety knowledge
- Grilling Techniques
- Food assembly
- Menu Planning
- Cooking techniques
- Food Safety
- Quality Control
- Training Management
- Kitchen Organization
- Food Preparation
- Sanitation Practices
- Food presentation
- Safe Food Handling
- Inventory Control
- Spoilage prevention
- Knife Skills
- Culinary expertise
- Pastry Skills
- Sauce preparation
- Plates presentation
- Cleaning and organization
- Garnishing Techniques
- Highly motivated
- Food Safety Standards
- Food Storage Procedures
- Line Management
- Kitchen Station Setup
- Back of House Operations
- Reliable and Trustworthy
- Problem-Solving
- Professional Attitude
- Food presentation talent
- Attention to Detail
- Prepared Foods Plating
- Entree Preparation
- Time Management
- Menu Item Memorization
- Meat Cutting
- Food Allergen Safety
- Active listener
- Team Coordination
- Deep Fryer Operation
- Ingredients measuring
- Recipe creation
- Following cooking methods
- Line station oversight
- Recipe Adherence
- Grilling
- Team Leadership
- Frying and sautéing
Certification
Food Handler Certification
August 2022- August 2025
Timeline
Lead Line Cook
Red Star Matteson
06.2024 - Current
Line Cook
Hidden Manna Cafe
04.2024 - 06.2024
Personal Chef
The Goddess Shop
09.2023 - 04.2024
Lead Sauté Chef
Mckendrick's Steakhouse
10.2022 - 09.2023
Line Manager
Duckworth's Grill And Taphouse
08.2020 - 09.2022
High School Diploma -
Paintsville High School