David Pedraza Colon
Royal Palm Beach ,FL
Summary
Dynamic Chef with extensive experience at Kaluz Restaurant, specializing in menu development and signature dish creation. Proven ability to optimize kitchen operations and maintain high-quality standards. Skilled in grilling techniques and time management, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances team performance and customer satisfaction.
Forward-thinking professional offering more than 15 years of experience working in fast-paced kitchens. Skilled at staying focused and productive in high-stress situations and maintaining calmness in busy times. Excellent and proven cooking skills.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chef
Kaluz Restaurant
08.2023 - Current
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Responded to dietary concerns and food allergies, creating dishes to meet customer needs and palates.
- Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity, and presentation.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Disciplined and dedicated to meeting high-quality standards.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
Chef
Juans Market Polo Club
12.2023 - 05.2024
- Utilized proper cleaning techniques to sanitize counters and utensils used in preparation of raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Developed close relationships with suppliers to source best ingredients.
- Developed and remained accountable for safety, quality, consistency and adherence to standards.
- Worked closely with front-of-house staff to facilitate excellent customer service.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
Grill Cook
Ocean One
11.2022 - 12.2023
- Distributed food to team members with efficiency in high-volume environment.
- Provided support to crew members through all facets of food preparation and delivery.
- Adjusted gas and electric grills to specified temperatures for quality food output.
- Established and maintained productive staff relationships for positive working environments.
- Restocked and rotated food items according to expiry dates to minimize waste.
- Maintained clean, organized grill stations for hygienic, orderly food preparation.
- Provided support to crew members, facilitating quick food preparation and delivery.
- Used cost-saving measures to maximize profits.
- Trained new team members on kitchen operations and safety protocols.
- Operated and maintained grills, fryers and other cooking equipment.
Main Grill Cook
Carrabba' Italia Grill
04.2022 - 08.2023
- Conducted daily sanitizing and cleaning procedures at end of each shift before securing building.
- Completed daily food preparation and expedited service during bustling business hours.
- Communicated staffing, customer needs and kitchen inventory to company management.
- Proficient in first aid procedures and certified through American Red Cross to address injuries sustained in kitchen.
- Utilized kitchen equipment to meet temperature requirements and proper display.
- Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications.
- Cooked regular menu items and seasonal offerings according to corporate standards and guidelines.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Cleaned and maintained kitchen equipment regularly.
- Followed recipes and kitchen procedures for consistent food quality, presentation and standards.
Line Cook
Red Lobster
10.2019 - 11.2022
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Followed restaurant stock management schedule to monitor product freshness and rotate out old products.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Wrapped up and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
Tree Climber
Zimmerman Tree Svc
11.2019 - 04.2021
- Identified plant diseases and researched methods for mitigation.
- Advised customers on proper tree or shrub care to promote healthy growth and improve appearance.
- Applied protective sealants to trees with unsealed or vulnerable surfaces.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Trimmed greenery, shrubs, and hedges to maintain uniform appearance.
- Chopped and trimmed trees and operated chipping equipment for limbs.
- Chose and executed suitable topping and pruning cuts for healthy tree growth.
- Followed safety protocols in accordance with OSHA standards and good practices for tree care.
- Operated shredding and chipping equipment and fed limbs and brush into machines.
- Removed dead and excess branches from trees.
- Used ropes and chains to reach hard-to-reach branches for trimming and pruning.
Tree Climber
Asplundh Tree Service
03.2016 - 08.2019
- Trimmed greenery, shrubs, and hedges to maintain uniform appearance.
- Chose and executed suitable topping and pruning cuts for healthy tree growth.
- Chopped and trimmed trees and operated chipping equipment for limbs.
- Followed safety protocols in accordance with OSHA standards and good practices for tree care.
- Removed dead and excess branches from trees.
- Operated shredding and chipping equipment and fed limbs and brush into machines.
- Used ropes and chains to reach hard-to-reach branches for trimming and pruning.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Line Cook
AJ's Urban Grill
08.2014 - 03.2016
- Prepared and cooked full course meals based on restaurant recipes and specifications.
- Prepared and cooked meals according to recipes and customer specifications.
- Verified proper portion sizes to consistently attain high food quality standards.
- Assisted in developing new menu items to reflect restaurant's style and standards.
- Communicated with management on food inventory stock to request order placement.
- Followed restaurant stock management schedule to monitor product freshness and rotate out old products.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Operated grills, fryers and ovens to cook food items.
- Trained and assisted new kitchen staff members.
Sauté Cook
Cafe Melissa-Avon Lake
10.2010 - 03.2016
- Sauteed and seasoned meats, pastas and vegetables to customer taste preference.
- Prepared sauces and garnishes to complement sauteed menu items.
- Covered, dated, rotated and properly stored food items to preserve quality and freshness.
- Notified kitchen manager of shortages to maintain inventory.
- Organized server tickets to expedite food orders.
- Leveraged scales, dishers and ladles to monitor portion control.
- Set up and maintained saute station to facilitate kitchen operations.
- Liaised with sous chef throughout shift to obtain food prep and kitchen management instructions.
- Trained new kitchen staff on food safety, preparation and cooking techniques.
Line Cook
Stone House Grill
06.2013 - 10.2015
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Plated and presented all dishes to match established restaurant standards.
- Checked food temperature regularly to verify proper cooking and safety.
- Operated varied kitchen equipment, observing operation guidelines to avoid accidents and prevent malfunctions.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Trained new kitchen staff on food safety, preparation and cooking techniques.
Pizza Maker
Cheescake Factory
04.2012 - 08.2014
- Prepared raw materials for cooking by cutting vegetables and preparing dough.
- Coached new workers on store policies, pizza making, and dough preparation.
- Maintained pizza-making and kitchen equipment to keep items in good working condition and kitchen operating smoothly.
- Operated pizza oven and other kitchen equipment safely to protect team members from harm and equipment from damage.
- Monitored and maintained clean working areas and cooking surfaces.
- Operated grills, fryers and ovens to cook food items.
- Scrubbed grill on customer request due to food allergies to clean food residue and avoid issues with allergens.
- Followed company recipes and production standards to satisfy customers.
Prep Cook
Brio Tuscan Grille
03.2011 - 06.2013
- Trained and assisted new kitchen staff members.
- Maintained clean, hygienic kitchen workspace by sweeping, mopping, and taking out trash.
- Received shipments and placed items on proper shelves to restock and organize restaurant pantry.
- Preserved freshness of food by storing food in designated containers and storage areas within freezer or refrigerator.
- Washed, peeled, and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
- Followed orders from head chef to establish productive and timely preparation of meals.
- Measured and mixed ingredients according to precise recipes for best results.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
Education
High School Diploma -
Southview High School
Lorain, OHSkills
- Pantry restocking
- Menu development
- Kitchen operations management
- Signature dish creation
- Grilling techniques
- Temperature control
- Workflow optimization
- Time management
- Knife skills
Certification
CPR
AED
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Chef
Juans Market Polo Club
12.2023 - 05.2024
Chef
Kaluz Restaurant
08.2023 - Current
Grill Cook
Ocean One
11.2022 - 12.2023
Main Grill Cook
Carrabba' Italia Grill
04.2022 - 08.2023
Tree Climber
Zimmerman Tree Svc
11.2019 - 04.2021
Line Cook
Red Lobster
10.2019 - 11.2022
Tree Climber
Asplundh Tree Service
03.2016 - 08.2019
Line Cook
AJ's Urban Grill
08.2014 - 03.2016
Line Cook
Stone House Grill
06.2013 - 10.2015
Pizza Maker
Cheescake Factory
04.2012 - 08.2014
Prep Cook
Brio Tuscan Grille
03.2011 - 06.2013
Sauté Cook
Cafe Melissa-Avon Lake
10.2010 - 03.2016
High School Diploma -
Southview High School