Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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DARREN GARY

Bronx

Summary

Bilingual culinary professional with strong presentation skills and a passion for creating diverse dishes. Proven leader in high-pressure environments, adept at inventory management, kitchen sanitation, and supporting head chefs. Recognized for crafting memorable dishes using fresh ingredients while effectively monitoring purchasing and staffing to control costs. Committed to maintaining compliance with food safety standards at all levels.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Traveling Chef

Instawork
New York City
07.2024 - Current
  • Ensured compliance with health codes, sanitation regulations, and safety standards.
  • Prepared ingredients for cooking based on recipes and dietary requirements.
  • Catered meals for private parties, corporate functions, and various special occasions.
  • Delegated tasks and supervised kitchen staff to enhance food preparation and presentation.

Head Cook

New York Presbyterian Hospital
White Plains
11.2022 - 06.2024
  • Developed nutritious and balanced menus tailored to the dietary needs and restrictions of patients, under the guidance of dietitians and healthcare professionals
  • Oversaw the preparation and cooking of meals, ensuring adherence to recipes, portion sizes, and quality standards
  • Ensured compliance with food safety regulations, including proper food handling, storage, and sanitation practices
  • Conducted regular inspections to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen
  • Work closely with dietitians, nutritionists, and healthcare providers to accommodate special dietary needs and preferences

Banquet Chef

VIP Country Club
New Rochelle
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Managed a team of 30 professionals; reduced and controlled expenses by creating a variety of dishes or selections that may utilize another menu item's "waste"; assisted with the purchase of locally grown produce
  • Created and explored new cuisines; maintained contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers; planned and prepared food for parties, holiday meals, luncheons, special functions, and other social events
  • Ensured all food was cooked properly and in a timely fashion, using safety precautions to meet standards and practice health codes
  • Maintained sanitation, health, and safety standards according to established health codes; cleaned, stocked, and restocked display cases; cleaned food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils

Executive Chef

Westside Federation for Senior Citizens
06.2017 - 08.2020
  • New York City
  • Supervised and trained 25 new BOH cooks, set goals and drove performance to exceed weekly and monthly budget, and implemented company policies to ensure compliance
  • Scheduled and coordinated the work of chefs, cooks and other kitchen employees to assure that food preparation is economical and technically correct and within budgeted labor cost goals
  • Develops standard recipes and techniques for food preparation and presentation; performs oversight of all culinary operations including the preparation and production of all meals, food quality, and presentation, compliance with all safety and sanitation standards, team member productivity and performance
  • Prepares necessary data for applicable parts of the budget; projects annual food, labor and other costs and monitors actual financial results; takes corrective action as necessary to help assure that financial goals are met.

Education

Some College (No Degree) - CULINARY ARTS

NY RESTAURANT SCHOOL
N.Y.C.

Skills

  • Food quality and safety
  • Culinary operations
  • Sanitation practices
  • Recipe development
  • Team management
  • Budget management
  • Menu planning
  • Quality control
  • Customer service

Languages

  • English
  • Highly proficient
  • Spanish

Timeline

Traveling Chef

Instawork
07.2024 - Current

Head Cook

New York Presbyterian Hospital
11.2022 - 06.2024

Banquet Chef

VIP Country Club
01.2020 - 01.2021

Executive Chef

Westside Federation for Senior Citizens
06.2017 - 08.2020

Some College (No Degree) - CULINARY ARTS

NY RESTAURANT SCHOOL

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