Cindy Castaneda
Kingwood
Summary
Culinary professional with a strong work ethic and exceptional customer service skills. Adept at multitasking and fostering team collaboration to enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency.
Detail-oriented approach to food preparation and handling. Reliable individual possessing excellent communication and problem-solving strengths.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cook
Landon Ridge
Kingwood
01.2026 - Current
- Prepared and cooked meals according to standardized recipes and guidelines.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen equipment and workstations.
- Assisted in menu planning by providing input on seasonal ingredients.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely meal service during busy shifts.
- Monitored food safety standards, including proper storage and handling practices.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced food waste and enhanced productivity.
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
Server
Landon Ridge
King
05.2025 - 12.2025
- Delivered exceptional customer service, ensuring a positive dining experience for all guests.
- Managed order accuracy and efficiency, coordinating with kitchen staff to fulfill requests promptly.
- Assisted in maintaining cleanliness and organization of dining area, adhering to health and safety standards.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance workflow during peak hours, optimizing service delivery.
- Adapted quickly to changing menu items and specials, providing informed recommendations to customers.
- Trained new servers on standard operating procedures and customer service best practices.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
Deli Team Lead
Walmart
01.2022 - 11.2024
- Supervised daily operations of deli department, ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
- Trained and mentored team members on product knowledge and customer service best practices.
- Managed inventory levels, reducing waste through effective stock rotation and ordering processes.
- Implemented new display techniques to enhance product visibility and increase sales opportunities.
- Collaborated with management to develop promotional strategies that boosted customer engagement.
- Monitored employee performance, providing constructive feedback to improve team efficiency.
- Ensured accurate pricing and labeling of deli items, maintaining consistency across all products.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints promptly, enhancing overall shopping experience in deli section.
- Led a team of deli associates, fostering teamwork and improving overall productivity levels.
- Negotiated with suppliers for better pricing options without compromising on quality standards.
- Maintained clean and organized workspaces, promoting efficiency within the deli team operations.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local regulations regarding food safety and sanitation practices.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, offering constructive feedback for continuous improvement opportunities.
- Trained new team members on proper food handling, sanitation, and safety procedures for a safer working environment.
- Monitored inventory levels closely to prevent stockouts while minimizing excess waste from expired products.
- Responded to telephone inquiries regarding available products and services and helped customers make appropriate choices.
- Prevented food spoilage by monitoring dates, rotating stock, and following proper storage procedures.
Personal Chef / Assistant
Liz Friedman
03.2012 - 11.2021
- Designed customized meal plans based on clients' dietary preferences and restrictions.
- Prepared and cooked meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients while ensuring high food quality standards.
- Managed inventory and ordered supplies to maintain stock levels and minimize waste.
- Coordinated with clients for menu tastings and feedback sessions to refine offerings.
- Conducted regular kitchen clean-up routines to uphold sanitation standards and safety regulations.
- 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.
- Labeled food to include reheating and safe storage and handling instructions.
- 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.
- Reduced food waste through effective menu planning, sourcing local ingredients, and utilizing seasonal produce.
- Designed and prepared all menu items for private home/office setting.
- Demonstrated flexibility in accommodating last-minute changes to menus or guest numbers while still delivering high-quality results.
- Conducted comprehensive nutritional analyses of dishes to accommodate clients'' specific health goals or dietary restrictions.
- Shopped at specialty grocery stores to obtain ingredients needed for food preparation.
- Met with client and discussed preferred meals, dietary restrictions and food allergies.
- Cleaned meal preparation areas and washed hands frequently to promote hygienic and sanitary practices.
Prep Cook
Cleo Mediterranean Restaurant
02.2011 - 12.2011
- Prepared ingredients by chopping, marinating, and measuring for various menu items.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen stations to ensure efficient workflow.
- Assisted chefs in cooking and plating dishes to meet quality standards and presentation guidelines.
- Monitored inventory levels, restocked supplies, and minimized waste through proper portion control.
- Implemented best practices for food storage and labeling to comply with health regulations and safety standards.
- Washed, peeled, and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
- Maintained clean, hygienic kitchen workspace by sweeping, mopping, and taking out trash.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities, managing multiple food stations simultaneously without compromising quality or speed.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by maintaining a clean and organized workspace during busy shifts.
- Contributed to a positive work atmosphere through effective communication and teamwork among staff members.
- Followed orders from head chef to establish productive and timely preparation of meals.
- Supported the success of daily operations by assisting chefs with ingredient prep work as needed.
- Reduced food waste by properly storing ingredients and monitoring expiration dates.
Salad Bar Attendant
Koo Koo Roo Chicken
01.2008 - 11.2010
- Prepared fresh salads and toppings, ensuring quality and presentation standards.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of salad bar to enhance customer experience.
- Assisted customers with selection and customization of salad options for dietary preferences.
- Monitored inventory levels and restocked items to ensure availability during peak hours.
- Conducted regular quality checks on ingredients to maintain freshness and taste standards.
- Ensured freshness of offerings by regularly monitoring and replacing ingredients as necessary.
- Helped maintain a safe dining environment by adhering to proper food handling guidelines and protocols.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by maintaining a clean and well-stocked salad bar throughout the day.
- Increased customer loyalty with friendly service and attentiveness to dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Maintained positive relationships with customers, addressing any concerns or requests in a prompt manner.
- Minimized cross-contamination during preparation and stocking.
- Improved guest experience through exceptional attention to detail in presentation, taste, variety, and overall consistency of offerings at the salad bar.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely replenishment of popular items during busy shifts.
Education
High School Diploma -
Alexander Hamilton
Culver City, CASkills
- Strong work ethic
- Exceptional customer service
- Safe food handling
- Cleanliness standards
- Food running
- Food safety practices
- Task prioritization
- Multitasking and organization
- Guest engagement
- Menu planning
- Food preparation
- Food safety compliance
- Team collaboration
- Problem resolution
- Critical thinking
- Employee training
Languages
- Spanish
- English
Certification
Food Safety Manager Certificate
Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate
Timeline
Cook
Landon Ridge
01.2026 - Current
Server
Landon Ridge
05.2025 - 12.2025
Deli Team Lead
Walmart
01.2022 - 11.2024
Personal Chef / Assistant
Liz Friedman
03.2012 - 11.2021
Prep Cook
Cleo Mediterranean Restaurant
02.2011 - 12.2011
Salad Bar Attendant
Koo Koo Roo Chicken
01.2008 - 11.2010
High School Diploma -
Alexander Hamilton