Christina Wells
Chef/Educator
West Palm Beach,Fl.
Summary
A proven senior leader who has provided outstanding management for over 14 years. Unique ability to combine entrepreneurial attitude and strategic thinking with a disciplined approach to business operations and other critical functions to energize and grow operations. A visible leader with extraordinary people skills who can guide meaningful and organizational change. An agile thinker with the style and temperament to develop confidence among the key stakeholders. Strong Business acumen and technologically savvy. Highly regarded for professional integrity, diplomacy, and discretion.
High profile leader in food service education and operations, with more than 20 years of corporate food and beverage experience 3 years of culinary educational experience. Adept at training and developing staff, meeting local and federal standards for food safety and sanitation and managing food and labor costs. Recognized by industry leaders for supporting and developing culinary, nutrition and foodservice industry initiatives.
- High profile leader in food service education and operations, with more than 5 years of corporate and K-16 educational experience. Adept at training and developing staff, meeting local and federal standards for food safety and sanitation and managing food and labor costs. Recognized by industry leaders for supporting and developing culinary, nutrition and foodservice industry initiatives.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Culinary Arts Instructor
Congress Middle School
Boynton Beach, FL
03.2018 - Current
- Developed and implemented creative lesson plans to reach diverse student audience.
- Supervised students in kitchen lab setting to maintain safety and efficiency targets.
- Taught basic cooking skills during both one-on-one and group classes.
- Facilitated ongoing program reviews and continuous improvement efforts and fostered positive learning environment by developing curriculum and instructional support that targeted and engaged all students.
- Prepared lesson plans for classroom instruction of credited technical and occupational courses.
- Provided detailed instruction and role modeling for acceptable social and work-related behaviors.
- Observed and evaluated students' work to determine progress, provide feedback and make suggestions for improvement.
- Presented lectures and conducted discussions to increase students' knowledge and competence using visual aids such as graphs, charts and slides.
- Designed hands-on lesson plans for up to 30 students per class on weekly basis.
Food Service Director
Gourmet Services Inc
Atlanta, Hampton, GA, VA
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Manage multi-unit food court with four brand concepts; Chick-Fila, Planet Smoothie, Pirates Grill & C-store.
- Supervise financial forecasting, sales operations.
- Ensure industry standards for safety sanitation, food handling, menu management and cash handling.
- Responsible for staff training, hiring, and retention..
- Spearheaded regular maintenance and repair operations to keep building and equipment in peak condition.
- Maintained sound financial footing by overseeing department profit, loss and budgeting.
- Developed strategies to improve food service levels for busy facility handling 300- 500 meals each day.
Area Director of Operations
Gourmet Services Inc.
West Palm Beach, FL
01.2012 - 08.2017
- Oversee unit operations in South Florida spanning from Jupiter to Miami; covering several counties and serving over 45,000 people.
- Responsible for cultivating growth, building client relationships, maximizing sales and profitability, and driving team performance.
- Focused on creating excellent customer experience, adherence to quality standards, training and development of staff, and creating stimulating and supportive team environment.
- Report directly to senior management and corporate office.
- Created and implemented aggressive action plan to address pressing cost control needs.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Assisted with marketing strategy creation and advertising initiatives to better promote facility to public.
- Supported top-level decision-making and strategy planning, forging productive relationships with top leaders and serving as key advocate for various personnel issues.
- Directed product flow and informed management of delays and challenges, as well as suggested resolutions.
General Manager
Gourmet Services Inc.
Jupiter, FL
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Planned, supervised, and directed special events, promotions, and daily operations.
- Maintained inventory of food and other related products which included ordering, receiving, storing, and preparation; observing meal service and evaluating food for taste, temperature, appearance, and portion size.
- Financial responsibilities included budget maintenance, accounting for variances, and managing payroll.
- Administered Human Resources policies, procedures, and guidelines; promoted positive employee relations, directed job training and in service trainings, and conducted scheduling of staff based on operational needs.
- Set unit goals and developed action plans for attainment, ensured proper equipment maintenance and sanitation standards were met, and guaranteed compliance of all records to government regulations and company codes.
- Increased sales by $100,000 by establishing goals, overseeing performance and lading major contract with net sales over $500,00.
Food and Beverage Director / Special Events Planner
The Oaks Golf And Dining
Covington, GA
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Created marketing promotions and strategies in food & beverage department to assist golf course in achieving revenue goals.
- Developed and monitored Food and Beverage department budget, including both revenues and expenses.
- Championed guest service effort as it relates to Food and Beverage team in order to achieve top 10% guest service rating.
- Promoted teamwork and communication both within department as well as with other departments to maintain high levels of associate satisfaction.
- Implemented Human Resources and Accounting policies.
- Maintained Oaks brand standards as it relate to Food and Beverage operation, particularly breakfast, lunch service and private receptions.
- Increased sales by over 30%, which cultivated membership growth and club activities participation.
Education
MBA - Financial Services Marketing Operations
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, FL 08.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Science Technical - Management |Hospitality and Tourism
DeVry University
Associates of Applied Technology Degree - Culinary Art
Chattahoochee Technical College
02.2002 - 01.2004
Certifications, and Civic Engagement Certified Customer Services Specialist Certified Florida Food Safety Manager - undefined
Skills
Team Building & Staff DevelopmentManagement of Service OperationsChange ManagementBudgeting & Budget ManagementFinancial Modeling & AnalysisMulti-site Operations ManagementStrategic Plan Development
Education and Leadership
Differentiated instruction
Culinary and Hospitality vocational training
Curriculum Development
Knife safety understanding
Performance evaluation
Progress tracking
American Culinary Federation Member
[Area of study] vocational training
Affiliations
- Toastmasters
- American Culinary Federation
- Kiwanis Club International
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Honorary Atlanta Technical College Foundation Board Member
- National Restaurant Association Member
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Quote
The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.
Steve Jobs
Timeline
MBA - Financial Services Marketing Operations
Palm Beach Atlantic University
08.2019 - Current
Culinary Arts Instructor
Congress Middle School
03.2018 - Current
Area Director of Operations
Gourmet Services Inc.
01.2012 - 08.2017
Food Service Director
Gourmet Services Inc
01.2008 - 01.2009
General Manager
Gourmet Services Inc.
01.2008 - 01.2011
Food and Beverage Director / Special Events Planner
The Oaks Golf And Dining
01.2006 - 01.2008
Associates of Applied Technology Degree - Culinary Art
Chattahoochee Technical College
02.2002 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Science Technical - Management |Hospitality and Tourism
DeVry University