David Duka
Woodridge,IL
Summary
Experienced FOH and BOH Manager at Carrabba's Italian Grill, adept in inventory management and fostering team collaboration. Enhanced Dining Room and Kitchen efficiency through innovative food safety practices and meticulous staff training. Achieved notable compliance with health inspections, demonstrating culinary expertise. Driven leader with strong problem-solving and customer service skills. Dedicated to providing highest level of service to customers and creating pleasant work environment for staff. Knowledgeable in food safety and sanitation protocols.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kitchen Manager
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Woodridge, IL
05.2021 - Current
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Reduced food waste by closely monitoring inventory levels and implementing proper food storage techniques.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen team and service areas for optimal guest experiences.
- Inspected stock to identify shortages, replenish supply and maintain consistent inventory.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Consistently met or exceeded local health department inspection requirements through diligent adherence to safety protocols and maintaining thorough documentation records.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and optimizing staff scheduling.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Developed and implemented kitchen policies and procedures to establish clear guidelines for kitchen operations and comply with regulations.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with attentiveness to dietary restrictions and allergen concerns in menu offerings.
- Achieved rapid ticket times during peak service hours by effectively managing workflow distribution across various stations.
- Calculated prices of ingredients to monitor food costs and control expenses.
- Collaborated with other departments to coordinate meal service and special events, executing smooth operations.
- Utilized advanced culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes that delighted guests while maintaining the highest of quality standards.
- Facilitated special event catering coordination, ensuring timely preparation of high-quality dishes while adhering to client specifications.
- Developed strong vendor relationships for consistent delivery of high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.
- Fostered a collaborative working environment among diverse teams of chefs, line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, and other support staff.
Server
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Woodridge, IL
05.2012 - 05.2021
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
- Maintained a clean and orderly dining area for an enjoyable guest experience.
- Provided attentive service during high-volume periods without sacrificing attention to detail or guest rapport.
- Addressed customer complaints or concerns professionally, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining positive relationships.
- Assisted in training new hires, providing guidance on restaurant standards and best practices.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Handled cash transactions accurately, contributing to balanced daily financial reports.
- Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
- Consistently met or exceeded performance goals related to sales targets, customer satisfaction ratings, and order accuracy.
Education
High School Diploma -
Downers Grove North
Downers Grove, IL2005
Skills
- Multitasking and Organization
- Customer Service
- Food Safety
- Inventory Management
- Food Preparation
- Staff Training and Development
- Safe Food Handling
- Recipes and menu planning
- ServeSafe Manager
- Catering Services
- Training and Onboarding
- Health Inspections
Accomplishments
- Managed a team of 15-30 staff members successfully.
- Contributed to 500% growth of wine dinners with successful execution from both a FOH and BOH position.
- Achieved 300% consistent catering growth by accepting and completing orders with accuracy and efficiency.
Certification
ServSafe Alcohol Certificate.
ServSafe Food Handlers Certification
Timeline
Kitchen Manager
Carrabba's Italian Grill
05.2021 - Current
Server
Carrabba's Italian Grill
05.2012 - 05.2021
High School Diploma -
Downers Grove North