David Barnhill
North Platte,NE
Summary
I bring exceptional culinary techniques and team leadership to the table. Skilled in menu development , I've elevated dining experiences through creative recipe creation and effective kitchen management, ensuring customer satisfaction and food safety standards are surpassed. Forward-thinking professional offering more than 10 years of experience working in fast-paced kitchens. Skilled at staying focused and productive in high-stress situations and maintaining calmness in busy times. Enthusiastic and reliable professional takes pride in providing excellent customer service and creating memorable dining experiences for restaurant customers. Skilled in anticipating customer needs, addressing complaints and resolving issues in timely manner. Maintains focus and positive attitude in stressful situations and high-volume environments.
Passionate and dedicated culinary professional with extensive international experience, savor profiles and some French culinary techniques. Traveled across Africa and Ecuador to master local flavors and techniques, enriching my culinary repertoire. Worked under a executive chef with over 40 years of experience in French cuisine. Refining my skills and deepening my appreciation for culinary artistry. Versatile in both front-of-house and back-of-house roles, providing a comprehensive understanding of the full dynamics of hospitality. Committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences and continuously seeking to expand my knowledge and expertise.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Sous Chef
Bonfire Grill
04.2023 - 09.2024
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain stellar business reputation.
- Oversaw business operations, and customer service for restaurant.
- Developed menus, and oversaw quality, sanitation, and safety processes.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Worked closely with front-of-house staff to facilitate excellent customer service.
- Evaluated food products to verify freshness and quality.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
- Trained and managed kitchen personnel and supervised related culinary activity.
- Developed new recipes and flavor combinations to enhance customer dining experience.
- Monitored food production to verify quality and consistency.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Assisted with menu development and planning.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
- Generated employee schedules and work assignments and determined appropriate compensation rates.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
Bartender/Restaurant Waiter
Cedar Room
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Prepared custom drink orders by accurately measuring and mixing house ingredients.
- Kept bar stocked with liquors, juices and garnishes for drinks.
- Used extensive knowledge of beer, wine and spirits to make informed recommendations to customers.
- Prepared garnishes by evenly slicing and pitting fruits.
- Verified drinking age requirements of customers by carefully reviewing photo identification.
- Regularly cleaned and sanitized bar area, beer lockers, refrigeration and storage areas.
- Quickly reset and cleaned up tables after customers left to enable speedy turnaround and guest flow.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Folded napkins and prepared silverware sets to provide adequate supply for host station.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
Front of House Manager
Brighams Taproom
03.2021 - 05.2022
- Addressed guest concerns and resolved all issues to guests' satisfaction.
- Maintained positive team environment by encouraging teamwork and respect in accordance with company mission.
- Adhered to safe work practices, food safety regulations, and corporate guidelines.
- Managed day-to-day FOH operations to drive quality, standards, and meet customer expectations.
- Performed cash handling activities and secured nightly bank deposits.
- Developed and maintained relationships with vendors and other business partners to establish trust and build rapport.
- Collaborated with chefs to create seasonal menus and promotional offers.
- Analyzed customer feedback and implemented strategies to improve customer satisfaction.
- Coordinated with suppliers to establish timely delivery of food and beverage items.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
- Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
- Reduced health risks and safety hazards by preparing beverage products consistently while creating cleaning schedules, restocking items and sanitizing equipment to adhere to health department standards.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Verified prepared food met standards for quality and quantity before serving to customers.
Sous Chef
Bonfire Grill
07.2020 - 05.2021
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Monitored food production to verify quality and consistency.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
- Trained and managed kitchen personnel and supervised related culinary activity.
- Monitored recipe portioning to control food costs.
- Ordered new ingredients and supplies to meet expected needs.
- Prepped daily menu items to quickly deliver upon request.
- Led team by example in preparing items accurately and according to high-quality standards.
- Oversaw cleanliness of each station in kitchen.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Assisted with menu development and planning.
Shift Lead Line Setup
Becton Dickinson BD Medical
07.2016 - 07.2020
- Maintained and operated automated manufacturing equipment.
- Performed minor repairs on equipment and administered product changeovers.
- Documented all operations and managed communication with team members.
- Adjusted equipment and troubleshot issues.
- Performed preventive maintenance of telecommunications equipment.
- Worked closely with network administrators and server engineers to deliver quality service.
- Installed and configured new devices and system components.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Versatile professional with strong problem-solving skills and history of adapting to diverse challenges. Applies innovative solutions and technical expertise to deliver exceptional results. Committed to streamlining processes and advancing organizational objectives.
- Kept work areas organized, tidy, and clean for maximum productivity.
- Inspected all work for quality and compliance with design standards.
- Worked directly with QA personnel to identify and correct defects.
- Trained new staff to perform assembly techniques, troubleshooting and preventative maintenance.
- Led production meetings to provide reports to management.
- Coordinated and oversaw periodic audits to evaluate product quality and safety and address non-conformances.
- Assembled products according to changing daily work orders and specific customer needs.
- Made sure that products were produced on time and are of good quality.
- Met production targets and tight deadlines by collaborating closely with team members.
Sous Chef
St. James Hotel
04.2015 - 07.2016
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Prepared and served various food items in fast-paced environment.
- Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Followed strict standards for food handling and safety, minimizing risks to customers.
- Planned menus for different events, seasons and customer requests.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Measured, weighed, and mixed appropriate ingredients according to recipe directions.
Education
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
North Platte Community College
North Platte, NEHigh School Diploma -
North Platte High
North Platte, NE05-2004
Skills
- Recipe creation
- Menu pricing
- Culinary techniques
- Menu development
- Food presentation
- Sanitation Standards
- Kitchen Management
- Team Leadership
- Food spoilage prevention
- Food Prep Planning
- Hiring, Training, and Development
- Food Stock and Supply Management
- Staff Scheduling
- Customer Service
- BOH Operations
- Signature dish creation
- Safe Food Handling
- Restaurant Operations
- Menu Planning
- Recipes and menu planning
- Meal Preparation
- Attention to Detail
- Dish preparation
- Strong Work Ethic
- Food Safety
- Decision-Making
- Staff Training
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Order delivery practices
- Catering and Events
- Order Verification
- Knife Skills
- High volume production capability
- Dining area maintenance
- Point of Sale (POS) system operations
- Buffet setup and takedown
- POS System Operation
- Suggestive Selling
- Mixology
- Menu knowledge
- Inventory
Timeline
Executive Sous Chef
Bonfire Grill
04.2023 - 09.2024
Bartender/Restaurant Waiter
Cedar Room
05.2022 - 04.2023
Front of House Manager
Brighams Taproom
03.2021 - 05.2022
Sous Chef
Bonfire Grill
07.2020 - 05.2021
Shift Lead Line Setup
Becton Dickinson BD Medical
07.2016 - 07.2020
Sous Chef
St. James Hotel
04.2015 - 07.2016
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
North Platte Community College
High School Diploma -
North Platte High
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