Denise Merrick

• Upheld highest standards of hygiene practices among staff members through ongoing education on sanitation protocols leading to consistent top-rated health inspection scores.
• Collaborated with other supervisors and managers to develop cross-training programs, enhancing employee versatility and reducing downtime during staff absences or turnover periods.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently managing food and beverage orders, ensuring prompt service.
• Reduced wait times during peak hours by efficiently allocating resources and coordinating between front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• Collaborated with kitchen staff to develop new menu items based on seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
• Demonstrated adaptability by effectively adjusting to sudden changes in customer volume or staffing levels while maintaining exceptional service quality.
• Boosted employee morale through regular recognition of outstanding performance, fostering a positive work atmosphere conducive to exceptional service delivery.
• Promoted an inclusive workplace culture through open communication channels encouraging diverse perspectives from all team members as a valuable resource for continuous improvement efforts.
• Maintained a clean and organized work environment to ensure compliance with health department regulations and company standards.
• Ensured smooth restaurant operation by promptly addressing any equipment malfunctions or maintenance needs in the dining area or kitchen facilities.
• Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
• Addressed customer complaints with professional demeanor and used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve issues.
• Monitored food preparation, production, and plating for quality control.
• Supervised food presentation and plating to enhance visual appeal.

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• Increased efficiency in kitchen, introducing pre-prep system that sped up meal preparation times.
• Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining cooking processes and implementing time-saving techniques.
• Oversaw kitchen equipment maintenance schedule, ensuring all tools and appliances were in top working condition.
• Enhanced presentation techniques, elevating dining experience and generating positive word-of-mouth.
• Cultivated culture of excellence and continuous improvement by setting high performance standards for kitchen staff.
• Enhanced menu variety by introducing innovative recipes tailored to seasonal ingredients.
• Fostered collaborative kitchen environment,
• Balanced menu offerings to cater to both traditional tastes and contemporary dietary trends, broadening restaurant's appeal.
• Created visually appealing plate presentations to enhance the overall experience for guests.
• Maintained high standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen, meeting or exceeding health department requirements.
• Evaluated food products to verify freshness and quality.
• Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
• Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
• Assisted with menu development and planning.
• Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
• Modified recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
• Trained and mentored new staff members.

Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.

• Created menus seasonally, incorporating fresh produce to create visually appealing and flavorful dishes.
• Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
• Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes.
• Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
• Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
• Collaborated effectively with front-of-house team for seamless dining experience and positive customer feedback.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality culinary creations.
• Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
• Developed signature dish that became bestseller.
• Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
• Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
• Set up and broke down kitchen for service.

• Established and maintained operational standards for 6 river locations.
• Enhanced team performance by providing regular coaching, training, and performance feedback to staff members.
• Mentored and developed high-potential employees for leadership roles with opportunities for growth.
• Streamlined operational processes for increased efficiency by identifying areas of improvement and implementing necessary changes.
• Championed safety programs within the region resulting in reduced workplace accidents and lower workers'' compensation claims costs.
• Increased customer satisfaction with timely resolution of escalated issues and proactive communication on product updates.
• Supervised various locations, enforcing high-quality standards of operation.
• Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
• Recruited, interviewed and hired employees.
• Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules
• Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
• Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
• Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
• Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
• Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
• Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
• Trained personnel in equipment maintenance.
• Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
• Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.