Christopher Kirtner
Clarksburg,WV
Summary
An expert in the Hospitality Industry with over 30 years of related experience and advanced Culinary skills. Always looking for ways to improve productivity and customer satisfaction with exceptional service. Maintain well-organized and presentable work areas at all times.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant F&B Manager/Sous Chef
Muriale's Italian Restaurant
Fairmont, WV
07.2023 - Current
- Menu Development and Research
- Calculate Food & Labor Costs
- Create Weekly Specials using local ingredients.
- Manage & Train staff in new concepts and techniques.
- Oversee all Banquet and Catering Events
- Work Closely with Clients to plan and organize events.
- Create task list for staff to ensure accurate levels of products are prepared.
- Work directly with owner and G.M. to create new and innovative special events.
Chef/Owner
Cast Irons Foodservice & Catering
Lebanon , TN
07.2022 - 06.2023
- Ran and Operated Cafeteria for multi-shift FedEx Facility.
- Maintain daily specials as well as private catering functions, on & off site.
- Worked Closely with clients to ensure quality, efficient, and customized private events.
Garde Manger Chef
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Nashville, TN
05.2019 - 06.2022
- Oversee all production within the cold kitchen, maintaining consistency of various preparations to ensure quality product to standard recipes as well as menu developing
- Responsible for all food management as well as daily ordering for cold kitchen
- Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental policies, procedures and standards.
Executive Chef/Assistant Manager
121 In-Flight Catering
Nashville, TN
04.2018 - 05.2019
- Estimated the needed levels of foods, ingredients and supplies to make the correct weekly orders
- Monitored the operation of the kitchen to check for proper sanitation
- Established and enforced presentation standards to uphold the establishment's reputation
- Oversaw team members at each station to verify the consistent and accurate preparation of every dish
- Reviewed the incoming orders and assigned work to the employee partners to maintain a demanding schedule
- Worked closely with airline staff for accurate count of each days flights worked directly with private airlines to maintain higher end food and beverage needs
- Executed three month menu rotation to meet airline's specifications.
Executive Chef
Dream Events and Catering
Nashville, TN
09.2016 - 04.2018
- Oversee all food and beverage operations for a high volume, multi-function event specialist
- Maintain food and labor cost within company's structure
- Oversee all functions and events are executed thoroughly
- Hiring and training of culinary staff
- Menu developing.
Executive Chef, Operations Manager
Commerce Club
Greenville, SC
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Oversee all food operations for private members club with 1000 plus members which include three meal services, private event functions, member/guest themed functions, wine dinners for connoisseur club, cooking demos, while maintaining company standards, policies and budgets
- Increased sales/revenue 27%
- 2013, 2015 recipient of ClubCorp Super Star Award
- Invited to participate in CIA Greystone program for continuous education
- Represented Club at various Charity events and local TV shows
- Consistently in the top 25 of Company and top 10 in Business and Sports Division for 'In Moment Survey' success for overall Satisfaction Ranking
- Featured article in Private Clubs Magazine
- Oversee all purchasing for food and beverage department
- One on one relationships with club members
- Menu developing in both ala' carte and private events
- Consistently maintained food and labor cost within or above company standards.
F&B Operations Manager
Bridgeport Conference Center
Bridgeport, WV
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Oversee all aspects of daily F&B operations
- Menu planning and Development
- Hiring and training of FOH/BOH staff
- Coordinated and executed off site caterings
- Worked closely with guest and group contacts to assure all F&B as well as AV needs were met.
Executive Banquet Chef
Biltmore
Asheville, NC
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Oversee multiple locations for Estate catering, banquets and wedding functions
- Executed multiple functions utilizing minable staff and resort interns
- Oversee all F&B purchases
- Represented Estate in various charity and community events
- A member of the F&B task force to design and implement new Estate catering venue, utilizing two food trucks to execute events
- A member of the F&B team to create and test recipes for Biltmore Brand home products
- Worked closely with Sarah Mauldin (Food Network and Executive Chef of Gourmet Magazine) for local Charity event
- Held highest standard of guest satisfaction and food quality
- Maintained company budgets, standards and policies consistently.
Banquet Sous Chef
Grove Park Inn and Spa
Asheville, NC
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Reported to Executive Banquet Chef
- Assisted Executive Chef in maintaining all facets of company's budgets, standards, and policies
- Maintained food and labor costs while executing a $12 million F&B banquet operation
- Oversee and maintained multiple banquet outlets
- Trained and directed all staff to implement and execute multiple functions
- Performed resort cooking demos
- Winner of 'People's choice' award for Taste of Asheville.
Education
Associates Degree - Specialized Technology, Culinary Arts
Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts
01.1992
Skills
- An award winning, innovative Chef with a strong focus on planning, strategy, execution and efficiency of operations I am able to identify strengths and weaknesses and make necessary adjustments to follow through with company policies, standards and productivity to assure maximum profitability My skill sets as a leader include: motivating staff, developing strategic ways to increase sales and revenue Classically trained with an eye for trendy interpretations Additional experience in: Performance Management, Staff Hiring and Training, Quality Assurance, Expense Management, New Menu Planning/Execution, Payroll, Forecasting/Scheduling, Private Functions/Catering
Certification
- Certified Hospitality Manager
- Member American Culinary Federation
Timeline
Assistant F&B Manager/Sous Chef
Muriale's Italian Restaurant
07.2023 - Current
Chef/Owner
Cast Irons Foodservice & Catering
07.2022 - 06.2023
Garde Manger Chef
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
05.2019 - 06.2022
Executive Chef/Assistant Manager
121 In-Flight Catering
04.2018 - 05.2019
Executive Chef
Dream Events and Catering
09.2016 - 04.2018
Executive Chef, Operations Manager
Commerce Club
01.2011 - 01.2016
F&B Operations Manager
Bridgeport Conference Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
Executive Banquet Chef
Biltmore
01.2005 - 01.2010
Banquet Sous Chef
Grove Park Inn and Spa
01.2001 - 01.2005
Associates Degree - Specialized Technology, Culinary Arts
Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts