Davida Harsley
Lynchburg,VA
Summary
Culinary professional with strong background in high-pressure kitchen environments. Expertise in menu development, ingredient sourcing, and maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation. Known for fostering collaboration, adapting to changing needs, and consistently achieving desired results. Skilled in team leadership, inventory management, and culinary innovation.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chef
Doc's Food Truck
10.2023 - 04.2024
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Utilized proper cleaning techniques to sanitize counters and utensils used in preparation of raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
- Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Reduced food waste with strategic menu planning and inventory control techniques.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.
Deli Manager
Mr Food
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Reduced food waste by closely monitoring product freshness and implementing proper rotation practices.
- Trained, supervised and evaluated deli staff to align compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Addressed customer concerns promptly and professionally, resolving issues to their satisfaction.
- Trained new team members on deli procedures, ensuring consistency in product quality and service levels.
- Ensured a safe work environment by enforcing strict adherence to health and safety regulations.
- Worked closely with other department managers to improve cross-functional collaboration within the store.
- Collaborated with store management to achieve overall operational goals, contributing to store success.
Freeze Plant Worker
South Hampton Agribusiness
02.2015 - 10.2015
- Assisted in inventory management, ensuring accurate tracking of materials and supplies for smooth plant operations.
- Exceeded performance expectations regularly by focusing on efficient task completion while maintaining high attention to detail during all aspects of job duties performed as a plant worker.
- Proactively addressed potential hazards within the work area, eliminating risks before they could impact employee health or safety conditions adversely.
- Collaborated with supervisors to develop customized strategies for resolving complex operational challenges during peak periods or unforeseen situations.
Forklift Driver
VCE warehouse
06.2014 - 09.2014
- Safely transported valuable goods while adhering to safety protocols and procedures.
- Improved warehouse efficiency by expertly operating forklifts to move, stack, and organize materials.
- Handled multiple tasks simultaneously to maximize work efficiency.
- Unloaded trucks and rail cars and moved materials to staging area.
- Located proper slots on storage racks and set pallets in place with forklift.
- Conducted regular maintenance checks on forklift equipment, ensuring proper functionality and longevity.
- Examined shipments for quality and accuracy.
Certified Nurses Assistant
Career training school
08.1988 - 10.1988
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing, and teeth brushing.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
- Delivered individualized patient care by recording vital signs, documenting observations, administering treatments, and evaluating patient needs.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
Education
GED - Nursing certification, plumbers helper, brick masonry helper, hair stylist, food service
Heritage high
Lynchburg, VA11.2024
Skills
- Food safety and sanitation
- Customer service
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Food quality
- Kitchen management
- Food presentation
- Meal preparation
- Attention to detail
- Effective communications
- Kitchen operations
- Team collaboration
- Grilling techniques
- Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
- Ingredient knowledge
- Verbal and written communication
- Frying techniques
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Recipes and menu planning
- Hospitality service expertise
Accomplishments
- Re-designed kitchen stations and equipment placement which increased productivity and enhanced workflow processes.
- Designed whole new menu, including meal selections, beverages and pricing.
- Resolved product issue through consumer testing.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Supervised team of 1 staff members.
Certification
Nursing certification, Career training school, 08/01/88, Take care of patients, sometimes take them to get their hair done, take to church, sometimes eat dinner with family
Languages
English
Timeline
Chef
Doc's Food Truck
10.2023 - 04.2024
Deli Manager
Mr Food
01.2018 - 01.2023
Freeze Plant Worker
South Hampton Agribusiness
02.2015 - 10.2015
Forklift Driver
VCE warehouse
06.2014 - 09.2014
Certified Nurses Assistant
Career training school
08.1988 - 10.1988
Nursing certification, Career training school, 08/01/88, Take care of patients, sometimes take them to get their hair done, take to church, sometimes eat dinner with family
GED - Nursing certification, plumbers helper, brick masonry helper, hair stylist, food service
Heritage high
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