Danilo Vargas
Summary
Detail-oriented Culinary Professional experienced in fast-paced restaurant environments. Achieved high productivity and quality service through strong menu planning, food safety compliance, and teamwork abilities. Focused on continuous learning and adapting to new challenges while contributing to overall organizational success.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Line Cook
Rusty Pelican Restaurant
Tampa
12.2025 - Current
- Executed menu item preparation according to standard recipes and presentation guidelines, ensuring consistency and quality.
- Maintained food safety standards during preparation and storage processes.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely meal delivery.
- Assisted in inventory management, tracking supplies and ingredients.
- Monitored food quality, ensuring consistency and freshness in all dishes.
- Followed sanitation practices to uphold a clean kitchen environment.
- Supported chefs in developing daily specials and menu items.
- Cooked multiple orders simultaneously during busy periods.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining organized in a fast-paced environment.
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to maintain safety and food quality.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Set up workstations with needed ingredients, utensils and cooking equipment.
- Communicated effectively with other staff members regarding orders and menu changes.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct temperature of food products.
- Cleaned food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
- Performed basic knife skills such as dicing onions or slicing meats.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
- Prepared food items consistently and in compliance with recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines.
- Followed health and safety standards to ensure safe working environment for employees and customers alike.
- Restocked food items throughout shift to prepare necessary ingredients for cooking and timely service.
- Retained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Plated dishes according to restaurant presentation standards before delivering them to customers.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces, and salads.
- Supported kitchen operations by washing vegetables and butchering meat, contributing to efficient meal prep.
- Monitored product freshness and rotation dates to maintain quality assurance standards.
- Inspected equipment for cleanliness prior to use every shift.
- Addressed customer complaints and concerns promptly, enhancing overall dining experience satisfaction.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Organized the storage area to ensure that all necessary items were readily accessible.
- Adhered to portion controls and presentation specifications.
- Prepped garnishes to reduce wait times during lunch and dinner rush.
- Mentored and trained staff by teaching cooking skills and kitchen maintenance, improving overall quality and performance.
- Performed workstation prep prior to shift start.
- Memorized new menu items and ingredients quickly to help customers select items meeting needs and preferences.
- Trained new team members on proper meat and vegetable preparation techniques.
- Handled advanced thawing and food pre-preparation for upcoming meals.
Server assistant/ Pantry line cook
P.F. Chang's Bistro
Tampa
01.2025 - 10.2025
- Supported servers by cleaning and setting up tables, providing exceptional customer care that contributed to guest satisfaction.
- Ran food from the kitchen to tables, added garnishes, and prepared hot and cold drinks.
- Prepped drinks and assisted with food preparation, while maintaining a clean and orderly work.
- Understood restaurant's seating layout and menu to answer guest questions and assisted other crew members, as needed.
- Restocked tableware and napkins, and maintained clean and orderly server and kitchen stations.
- Prepared cold dishes such as salads and appetizers, and marinated meats.
- Assisted executive chef and sous chef by preparing wonton soup, frying station, and cooking on flat top.
- Ensured ingredients are fresh and that all food is prepared according to P.F. Chang's recipes and plating guidelines.
- Collaborated with team members in a fast-paced environment, ensuring timely delivery of dishes and enhancing overall service efficiency.
- Adhered to all safety and sanitation guidelines, maintaining a clean and safe kitchen environment that met health standards.
- Set up, operated, and broke down kitchen equipment; cleaned and maintained the work area readiness for the following shift.
Wendy's Crew Member
Tampa International Airport
Tampa
12.2023 - 12.2024
- Prioritized a positive dining experience by greeting each patron with a smile, remaining attentive to customer needs throughout transactions, and confirming accuracy of order before finalizing sale.
- Achieved 100% accuracy for cash drawer and register sales tallies and demonstrated excellent knowledge of IBM system to enter standard and custom menu orders and minimize customer wait time.
- Cross-trained in all store areas, including front counter, cashier, food preparation, and drive-thru; mentored new team members and facilitated onboarding.
- Prepared cook-to-order burgers, salads, sandwiches, and side items.
- Resolved customer issues promptly, reducing complaints and enhancing satisfaction by providing immediate solutions and collaborating with management for complex situations.
- Prepared menu items including burgers, salads, and sandwiches in a timely manner during peak hours.
- Supported management with opening and closing procedures, cash counting, stocking supplies, and training new hires to ensure smooth operations.
Chipotle Crew Member
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Tampa
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Greeted customers and provided excellent customer service, as well as responded to inquiries concerning ingredients, portion sizes, and food preparation.
- Maintained a high standard of customer service during high-volume, fast-paced operations.
- Managed sales through engagement of customers, suggestive selling, and sharing product knowledge.
- Promoted restaurant products by offering upgrade items or showcasing daily specials.
- Used point-of-sale systems to handle cash, process payments, and give customers their change.
- Adhered to strict sanitation and food safety regulations by disinfecting surfaces and removing trash.
- Prepped items for later use to save staff time during busy hours.
- Trained and guided newly hired personnel towards understanding and handling food with absolute integrity.
- Performed multiple tasks such as cooking, prepping food, cleaning dishes, keeping the work area orderly, and serving customers.
Sales Associate
DSW ~ Designer Shoe Warehouse
Tampa
12.2022 - 07.2023
- Assisted customers in selecting products to enhance their shopping experience.
- Managed sales through engagement of customers, suggestive selling, and sharing product knowledge.
- Welcomed customers upon arrival to create a friendly atmosphere.
- Addressed customer inquiries by providing accurate information and assistance.
- Guided customers to product locations to facilitate their shopping experience.
- Provided outstanding customer service.
- Documented sales by creating or updating customer profile records.
- Managed financial transactions.
- Processed payments by totaling purchases, processing checks, cash, and store or other credit and debit cards.
- Notified management about possible security concerns to maintain safety.
- Assisted with inventory, including receiving and stocking merchandise.
- Informed clientele about preferred customer sales and upcoming merchandise to drive repeat business.
Education
High School Diploma -
Thomas Jefferson High School
Tampa, FLSkills
- Food safety adherence
- Computer skills
- Microsoft Office
- Organization
- Communication
- Problem resolution
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Plating and preparation
- Strong work ethic
- Decision-making
- Critical thinking
- People skills
- Team building
- Troubleshooting
- Bilingual communication
- Food preparation
- Kitchen sanitation
- Inventory management
- Customer service
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Quality control
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Pressure adaptability
- Training and mentoring
- Fast-paced operations
- Detail-oriented
- Workstation cleanliness
- Problem-solving
- Frying techniques
- Grill operation
- On-the-job training
- Food safety
- Food safety standards
- Cutting and slicing techniques
- Prep work
- Team coordination
- Cooking methods adherence
- Salad preparation
- Recipe adherence
- Allergen safety
- Deep fryer operation
- Foodservice sanitation
- Sauce preparation
- Ingredient stocking
- Allergen awareness
- Food plating
- Prepared plating
- Station setup
- Menu item memorization
- Dish preparation
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Plating techniques
- Meat cutting
- Food safety knowledge
- Kitchen team support
Languages
Native/ Bilingual, Native/ Bilingual
Hobbies and Interests
- All sports/ Athletics
- Boating/ aquatics, fishing
- Exercise
- Interested in fixing cars
- Gardening
- Drawing
- Listening to music
- Cooking
- Technology (computers, phones)
Volunteer Experience
- Volunteer, Florida Department of Health-Hillsborough County, Tampa, FL, 08/20, 08/22, Participated in outreach events for back-to-school readiness for children., Translating for Spanish speakers only during back-to-school events.
- Volunteer, USF Health, Tampa, FL, 06/18, 06/18, Represented the Cuban nationality in a multicultural event festival for The Hispanic Heritage Month.
Timeline
Line Cook
Rusty Pelican Restaurant
12.2025 - Current
Server assistant/ Pantry line cook
P.F. Chang's Bistro
01.2025 - 10.2025
Wendy's Crew Member
Tampa International Airport
12.2023 - 12.2024
Chipotle Crew Member
Chipotle Mexican Grill
07.2023 - 12.2023
Sales Associate
DSW ~ Designer Shoe Warehouse
12.2022 - 07.2023
High School Diploma -
Thomas Jefferson High School