CHRISTOPHER BILGERA
King Of Prussia
Summary
Professional culinary expert with strong focus on team collaboration and delivering exceptional results. Demonstrates expertise in menu development, kitchen management, and high-quality food preparation. Reliable and adaptable, ensuring consistent excellence in fast-paced, changing environments. Known for leadership, creativity, and maintaining high standards in all culinary operations.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Chef
The 501 at Mattison Estate
Ambler, PA
05.2023 - Current
- Menu Planning and Recipe development. Created and updated seasonal and weekly menu.
- Inventory and Cost Control - Managed food inventory, ordered ingredients and track expenses to maintain budget efficiency to reduce food waste.
- Kitchen Management - directed kitchen staff, assigned tasks and fostered team work to ensure smooth operations during service hours.
- Food Preparation and Presentation - oversee the preparation and plating of dished to ensure consistency, taste and aesthetics appeal.
- Training and Mentoring Staff - Provided on-going training for kitchen staff, teaching cooking techniques, food safety practices and proper handling of equipments.
- Health and Safety Compliance - Maintained cleanliness and ensured adherence to health codes for safety regulations and sanitation standards.
- Excellent Time Management - Ability to work in a fast pace environment, managed multiple tasks while maintaining high standards.
- Supervised and mentored culinary staff, fostering professional development and teamwork.
- Implemented cost-control measures to optimize food inventory and reduce waste.
- Collaborated with local suppliers to source fresh, high-quality ingredients for menu items.
- Streamlined kitchen workflows, improving efficiency and service delivery times.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
Executive Chef
Hilton Garden Inn
Phoenixville, PA
05.2012 - 04.2023
- Responsible for all aspects of F&B management, including scheduling, ordering and inventory. Health/State and Hilton Brand standard inspection.
- Created and maintained relationships with vendor and suppliers.
- Reduced food, liquor and supply cost significantly and maintained below the 21% food budget and below the 7% liquor budget by implementing standards and inventory control.
- Created well rounded dinner menu with provisions for special needs option like Gluten Free, vegetarian Vegan, Low salt and Sugar free.
- Directly supervise 8-15 Team Member in the F&B department.
- Interviewing and Hiring onboarding new team member.
- Planning and directing assignments, promotions and appraising performance.
- Performance Management - addressing customer complaints, resolving problems.
- Performs as a Manager on Duty for overnight, weekends. Responsible for all operations of the hotel.
Tepanyaki Chef/ Bartender
Hibachi of Downingtown
Downingtown, PA
11.2004 - 07.2014
- Cooking and Performing for multi sized audience to each individual preference.
- Created specialty drinks in a busy, high volume bar.
- Trained to hand carve steak, meat/fish. Made signature house sauce from scratch. Trained as a Sushi Chef.
- Adapted skills to manage all aspects of the front of the house including POS system, customer concerns and liquor law.
Sales Associate
Strawbridge Department Store
King of Prussia, PA
08.2003 - 02.2004
- Greeted customers warmly and offered assistance.
- Helped customers find and select products.
- Kept work area clean, organized and free of clutter at all times.
- Performed cleaning tasks, keeping store neat and organized.
- Assisted customers with product selection to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Operated cash register and POS to handle purchases, refunds, and exchanges for customers.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills, resolving customer complaints efficiently and courteously.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Computer Science
La Fortuna College
Cabanatuan, Philippines03-2001
Skills
- Food safety
- Kitchen operations oversight
- Hygiene policy implementation
- Kitchen management
- Plating and garnishing
- Cost control
- Recipes and menu planning
- Order delivery practices
- Recipe creation
- Allergy awareness
- Ingredients selection
- Coaching and mentoring
- Forecasting and planning
- Purchasing management
- Recipe development
- Vendor relations
- Problem and complaint resolution
- Food stock and supply management
- Vendor relationship management
- Catering and events
- Kitchen staff management
Timeline
Executive Chef
The 501 at Mattison Estate
05.2023 - Current
Executive Chef
Hilton Garden Inn
05.2012 - 04.2023
Tepanyaki Chef/ Bartender
Hibachi of Downingtown
11.2004 - 07.2014
Sales Associate
Strawbridge Department Store
08.2003 - 02.2004
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Computer Science
La Fortuna College