Dennes Lockhart
New York,NY
Summary
Talented and innovative Sous Chef with a proven track record of orchestrating culinary excellence in high-paced kitchens. Adept at collaborating with executive chefs to curate menus, manage kitchen operations, and deliver exceptional dining experiences. Possesses a keen eye for detail, consistently ensuring impeccable food presentation and quality. Recognized for leadership skills, fostering teamwork, and maintaining a motivating kitchen environment. Committed to elevating standards, embracing challenges, and contributing to culinary innovation.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sous Chef
The Huntress
08.2020 - Current
- Monitored food and labor costs to verify budget targets were met.
- Acted as head chef when required to maintain continuity of service and quality.
- Modernized work processes to reduce guest wait times and boost daily output.
- Assisted with menu development and planning.
- Worked closely with front-of-house staff to facilitate excellent customer service.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Modified recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
- Inspected kitchens to observe food preparation quality and service, food appearance, and cleanliness of production and service areas.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Developed new recipes and flavor combinations to enhance customer dining experience.
- Implemented successful cross-marketing strategies such as food and wine pairings.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications.
Fishmonger
Mercado Little Spain
02.2019 - 10.2022
- Cleaned, cut and trimmed Tuna and Salmon fish before marketing to public.
- Cleaned and maintained equipment used in cutting and trimming, complying with hygiene and sanitation standards.
- Adhered to safety and cleanliness standards set by industry, OSHA and Department of Labor.
- Removed scales, bones and tails during cleaning procedures.
- Cleaned, scraped, trimmed and filleted various seafood products.
- Operated grinders, mincers and other equipment to process meat, poultry and fish.
- Used boning knife, skewers and twine to shape, lace, and tie roasts.
- Set up displays and stocked shelves with fresh meats, rotating stock for quality.
- Managed waste and disposal to comply with environmental regulations and minimize waste.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Server
Six Pence Pub
02.2018 - 02.2019
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations while serving spirits.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
- Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
Line Cook
The Grocery (Restaurant)
08.2015 - 02.2018
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Daily rolled a variety of fresh pasta shapes and sizes for restaurant's menu.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Plated and presented all dishes to match established restaurant standards.
- Operated varied kitchen equipment, observing operation guidelines to avoid accidents and prevent malfunctions.
- Wrapped up and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
- 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.
- Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications.
- Produced adequate amounts of mise en place to make meal preparation easier.
- Prepared and cooked meals according to recipes and customer specifications.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Capella University
Minneapolis, MNAssociate of Arts - Culinary Arts
The Art Institute of Atlanta
Charleston, SC06.2017
Skills
High level of integrity
Leadership and team management
Able to adapt in difficult situations
Time management
Problem solving and logical decision making
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Critical thinker
Organized and Independent
Accomplishments
James Beard Award - The Grocery(2016)
Certification
Food Handler's Certification
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Sous Chef
The Huntress
08.2020 - Current
Fishmonger
Mercado Little Spain
02.2019 - 10.2022
Server
Six Pence Pub
02.2018 - 02.2019
Line Cook
The Grocery (Restaurant)
08.2015 - 02.2018
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Capella University
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts
The Art Institute of Atlanta