Christopher Pieczkolon
Lock Haven,PA
Summary
I have been in this Industry my entire life, and that is because I love it. Being a Chef has been my calling since I first started cooking in the early 2000's. I thrive under the pressure and chaos that is a busy Friday dinner service while keeping my composure and that of my coworkers too. No more than I love coming in early before opening the restaurant to do inventory or get a jump start on my prep work for the day. I spent many years learning from some incredible Chef's In my home town Philadelphia. Working my way up from the bottom was no easy feat, but because I am extremely motivated and worked harder than my peers in a very competitive city I was able to achieve my dream of becoming a Chef. I pride myself on keeping a clean and fun work environment for myself and my Coworkers enjoyment while creating the best and most importantly cost effective and innovative dish's possible.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Chef
Stella A's Bar And Grille
Lock Haven , PA
2021.03 - Current
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan orders before placing them with appropriate vendors.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Mentored kitchen staff to prepare each for demanding roles.
- Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity, and presentation.
- Created recipes and prepared advanced dishes. Especially but not limited to soups and featured specials for lunch and dinner service made from scratch.
- Developed and cooked memorable dishes that brought new customers into the establishment.
- Expertly applied food loss prevention skills to repurpose unneeded scraps of produce and meats. As well as the reutilization of previously made product reincorporated into new recipes or dish's.
- Handled scheduling and coverages for back of the house staff.
- Helped to introduce catering into the business plan, and subsequently created menu options for future catering events.
First Cook
Aramark, Bentley Dining Hall Lock Haven University
Lock Haven , PA
2019.09 - 2021.12
- Addressed customer needs and dietary restrictions, adjusting dishes to maintain satisfaction.
- Assembled and served dishes consistently with commitment to flavors and quality presentation.
- Followed food production and handling guidelines.
- Minimized waste via effective planning, forecasting and stock control.
- Planned and prepared menu items, continuously surpassing guest expectations.
- Enforced health and safety regulations, optimizing adherence to quality standards.
Head Chef
Stella A's Bar And Grille
Lock Haven , PA
2017.03 - 2019.07
- Inventoried food, ingredient and supply stock to prepare and plan orders before placing them with the appropriate vendors.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Mentored kitchen staff to prepare each for demanding roles.
- Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity and presentation.
- Created recipes and prepared advanced dishes. Especially but not limited to soups and featured specials for lunch and dinner service made from scratch.
- Developed and cooked memorable dishes that brought new customers into establishment.
- Expertly applied food loss prevention skills to repurpose unneeded scraps of produce and meats. As well as the reutilization of previously made product reincorporated into new recipes or dish's.
- Handled scheduling and coverages for back of the house staff.
- Helped to introduce catering into the business plan, and subsequently created menu options for future catering events.
Night Manager/ Lead Line Cook
Dutch Haven
Lock Haven , PA
2014.10 - 2017.02
- Created the weekly special features for Dinner service.
- Inventoried the produce for the entire kitchen including daily lunch and dinner service and the extensive amounts needed for catering events.
- Checked each food item for freshness and provided feedback to kitchen supervisor for removal.
- Handled off site catering operations including prepping, cooking, and packaging the food. As well as managing the set up and break down of the necessary equipment for the event to be successful
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Cross trained new staff members so as to utilize personnel's best attributes while simultaneously reinforcing coverage in the event of an employee's absence.
- Maintained, stocked, and operated portable grill station in the dining room during brunch service. Offering customers the ability to personalize their order with me. (Mickey Mouse and Dinosaur pancakes are now my specialty, and my son's favorite!).
Lead Line Cook
The Cambridge
Philadelphia , PA
2012.07 - 2014.06
- Aided in the creation of the final menu for the restaurant's Opening in August of 2012.
- Explored the vast amount of Philadelphia's produce, seafood and meat markets learning how to identify the best quality products at low cost.
- Unloaded food supplies from distributor trucks and our local market trips to efficiently organize inventory, always using ( FIFO) method.
- Developed process that reduced waste and improved supply turnover.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Line Cook
Triumph Brewing Company Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia , PA
2010.10 - 2012.05
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Helped to construct sauces using home brewed beers, and helped to pair new dish ideas with the best home brew counterpart.
- Followed restaurant stock management schedule to monitor product freshness and rotate out old products.
- Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications.
- Checked each food item for freshness and provided feedback to kitchen supervisor for removal.
- Unloaded food supplies from distributor trucks to efficiently organize inventory.
- Handled portion control activities according to specified instructions provided by chef.
Lead Line Cook
Kopper Kettle
Langhorne , PA
2005.06 - 2010.09
- Began as a dishwasher in June of 2005, and within 6 months had been promoted to prep cook.
- As prep cook I cut cleaned and breaded meats, seafood, and vegetables for refrigeration before use.
- shucked and cleaned clams and oysters for raw consumption as well as for cooking purposes.
- By June of 2006 I had been promoted to the lead line cook, for both the dine in restaurant and the To-Go kitchen.
- Made home made soups and sauces from scratch, and home made crabcakes, also clam's casino and oyster's rockafellar.
- Assisted in creating and maintaining a schedule for kitchen employees.
Education
No Degree - Psychology
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PASkills
- Contamination Prevention
- Staff Supervision and Coordination
- Food Spoilage Prevention
- Vendor Relationships
- Food Preparing, Plating and Presentation
- Quality Control and Oversight
- Supply Estimates
- Current in Culinary Trends
Accomplishments
- I was recently Featured in Williamsport's 2022 Spring Edition of the West Branch Life Magazine affiliated with the Williamsport Sun Gazette, and the Lock Haven Express for my accomplishments as the Head Chef of Stella A's Bar and Grille.
Timeline
Head Chef
Stella A's Bar And Grille
2021.03 - Current
First Cook
Aramark, Bentley Dining Hall Lock Haven University
2019.09 - 2021.12
Head Chef
Stella A's Bar And Grille
2017.03 - 2019.07
Night Manager/ Lead Line Cook
Dutch Haven
2014.10 - 2017.02
Lead Line Cook
The Cambridge
2012.07 - 2014.06
Line Cook
Triumph Brewing Company Of Philadelphia
2010.10 - 2012.05
Lead Line Cook
Kopper Kettle
2005.06 - 2010.09
No Degree - Psychology
Bucks County Community College
Similar Profiles
Kara BaestleinKara Baestlein
Bartender at Stella Pasta Bar & Seven Points BreweryBartender at Stella Pasta Bar & Seven Points Brewery
Griffin VeazeyGriffin Veazey
Head Barback at Stella Marina Bar & RestaurantHead Barback at Stella Marina Bar & Restaurant
Dylan R MorrisDylan R Morris
Manager at Tin Cup Bar And GrilleManager at Tin Cup Bar And Grille