Derek Hayward
Great Falls,MT
Summary
Dynamic Sous Chef with a proven track record at Thomas Cuisine Management, excelling in menu development and team leadership. Enhanced kitchen productivity through optimized workflows and innovative dish creation, resulting in increased guest satisfaction. Skilled in food safety and staff motivation, fostering a collaborative environment that drives culinary excellence.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sous Chef
Thomas Cuisine Management
Great Falls, MT
09.2023 - Current
- Managed food preparation tasks during high-volume service periods, ensuring all orders were executed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Increased kitchen productivity by optimizing workflow processes and delegating tasks appropriately within the team.
- Collaborated with executive chef to develop innovative menu items, leading to increased guest return rates and positive reviews.
- Contributed to successful catering events by coordinating meal preparation and execution, exceeding client expectations on each occasion.
- Participated in menu planning meetings, offering creative input that led to new signature dishes garnering rave reviews from guests.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing guest concerns or special dietary requests, building loyalty among returning clientele.
- Served as an integral part of the hiring process for new kitchen staff members, contributing valuable insights into candidate selection based on experience and skill set compatibility with existing team dynamics.
- Collaborated closely with head chef to develop recipes that significantly increased customer satisfaction.
Lead Nutrition Technician
Logan Healthcare
Kalispell, MT
12.2019 - 09.2023
- Streamlined the meal preparation process for increased efficiency, resulting in reduced food waste and lower costs.
- Established protocols for handling food allergies and other dietary restrictions to ensure patient safety at all times.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing ongoing training and support in nutritional knowledge and best practices.
- Organized educational workshops on healthy eating habits for staff members, promoting a culture of wellness within the organization.
- Promoted a positive work environment through open communication channels between team members and leadership personnel.
- Maintained a high standard of food quality by consistently reviewing dishes for taste, presentation, and adherence to established guidelines.
- Took over line positions in event of emergency.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining cooking processes and implementing time-saving techniques.
- Monitored cooks and dishwasher performance and suggested improvements to streamline processes and increase team efficiency.
Construction Foreman
JLM Hardscaping
Kalispell, MT
04.2012 - 12.2019
- Supervised field crews to maximize quality and work efficiency.
- Studied and interpreted blueprints to plan construction phases and team assignments.
- Reduced safety incidents by implementing and enforcing strict safety guidelines and protocols.
- Verified and submitted team timesheets.
- Consistently met deadlines under pressure through diligent time management abilities.
- Ensured timely completion of projects by developing and maintaining schedules for work progress.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills in coordinating multiple subcontractors to ensure seamless integration within overall project timelines.
- Contributed to the successful completion of complex projects with effective problem-solving skills in challenging situations.
- Evaluated team member strengths and assigned tasks based upon expertise and background.
- Increased team productivity by managing personnel assignments according to individual skill sets and expertise levels.
Skills
- Team leadership
- Kitchen leadership
- Food safety
- Menu planning
- Food preparation
- Knife skills
- Menu development
- Staff motivation
Certification
- Serv Safe Management
- Crucial Conversations
Timeline
Sous Chef
Thomas Cuisine Management
09.2023 - Current
Lead Nutrition Technician
Logan Healthcare
12.2019 - 09.2023
Construction Foreman
JLM Hardscaping
04.2012 - 12.2019