DAWN LAWSON
Fort Lawn,SC
Summary
Accomplished Chef with a proven track record at Chesapeake Yacht Club, enhancing food quality and kitchen efficiency. Expert in food safety and sanitation, with a flair for fostering teamwork. Renowned for developing innovative menus and training staff, significantly elevating dining experiences through exceptional culinary skills and kitchen management. High-performing Chef offering 21 years of restaurant experience. Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. Talent for building streamlined, cohesive teams.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chef
Chesapeake Yacht Club
09.2023 - 11.2023
- 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.
- Prepped daily menu items to quickly deliver upon request.
- Developed seasonal menus
- Created small plate specials for weekly happy hour
- Developed scratch made sauces, spice blends
Chef Kitchen Manager
Abners Crabhouse
02.2023 - 09.2023
- 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.
- Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Created new menu items for specials weekly
- Revamped recipes for menu items
Chef
Caney Creek Catering
08.2014 - 06.2022
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Responsible for set up and break down of food truck
- Ensured timely delivery of all orders during busy services by implementing efficient workstations and streamlined plating processes.
- Fostered a positive working environment by promoting teamwork and open communication among all kitchen staff members.
- Created recipes and prepared advanced dishes.
- Elevated restaurant''s reputation by consistently creating high-quality, innovative dishes and maintaining top-notch presentation standards.
Chef
Cantler's Riverside Inn
03.2013 - 06.2018
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Contributed to successful catering events by coordinating meal preparation and execution, exceeding client expectations on each occasion.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current culinary trends and techniques.
- Planned promotional menu additions based on seasonal pricing and product availability.
- Assisted with menu development and planning.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality Administration And Management,
Strafford University
Alexandria, VA07.2018
Associate of Arts - Business & Travel
Fleet Business School
Annapolis, MD05.2003
Skills
- Food safety and sanitation
- Knife Skills
- Cooking techniques
- Food quality
- Kitchen Management
- Food presentation
- Kitchen Operations
Accomplishments
- Selected to create and prepare unique dishes for private parties with well-known celebrities.
- Designed whole new menu, including meal selections, beverages and pricing.
.
2nd place in the World food Championship, Seafood category 2018
placed 4th with our Oysters Rockafella and round 2, placed 2nd for key lime shrimp over a roasted pineapple key lime pie rum grits with a roasted pineapple salsa, Orange Beach, Alabama
Additional Information
1st place judges choice Salsa for Annapolis, MD
Runner up for Best Chef in Annapolis 2014
creating recipes, creating spice blends and new sauces and dressings, painting, photography
creating spice rubs and blends
creating dry spice blends to create dip bases
developing sauce and dressings
dehydrating vegetables and herbs with spices for packaged soup blends
Certification
T.I.P.S Training - 2018
ServSafeTraining - certification 2015
Timeline
Chef
Chesapeake Yacht Club
09.2023 - 11.2023
Chef Kitchen Manager
Abners Crabhouse
02.2023 - 09.2023
Chef
Caney Creek Catering
08.2014 - 06.2022
Chef
Cantler's Riverside Inn
03.2013 - 06.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality Administration And Management,
Strafford University
Associate of Arts - Business & Travel
Fleet Business School