Derek K Kowalski
Maplewood,USA
Summary
Resourceful Line Cook thrives under pressure and prioritizes tasks to manage high-volume orders. Proficient in wide range of cooking techniques, dishes and cuisine with skill to customize on-demand. Familiar with prep work, restocking, and cleaning. Reliable candidate ready to take on challenges using problem-solving and task prioritization skills to help team succeed. Stays on top of demands in fast-paced environments by effectively using slow periods. Maintains organized, clean, and safe work areas with diligent attention to important details. Dependable employee seeking opportunity to expand skills and contribute to company success. Considered hardworking, ethical and detail-oriented.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook
Corporate Chefs Elior
01.2025 - 06.2025
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
Line Cook
328 Grill
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Followed proper sanitation practices to maximize safety and prevent cross-contamination.
- Covered kitchen needs at station, filled in for absent team members and brought cooks up to speed.
- Worked quickly and flexibly to keep up with high volume of food orders per shift.
- Replenished food line ingredients and materials when running low.
- Produced excellent food quality and presentation within target timeframes.
Picker
Pepsi
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Recorded pulled items with high accuracy, including product serial numbers and quantities.
- Exceeded personal and team goals by walking quickly, minimizing mistakes, and correctly following location directions.
- Swept, mopped, and collected trash to maintain warehouse cleanliness.
- Avoided errors by accurately reading work tickets and pulling merchandise.
- Wrapped orders before loading on trucks.
Delivery Driver
Minnesota Ice
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Drove safely in adherence with state and federal laws.
- Secured loads in vehicle, distributing weight safely.
- Cleaned and maintained delivery vehicle to meet professional standards.
- Loaded packages safely to minimize damage or reduce injury.
- Met deadlines while working autonomously in fast-paced environment.
- Inspected vehicle pre- and post-trip to identify maintenance and repair needs.
- Kept clean and organized vehicle interior to maintain professional appearance during interactions with customers.
Sous Chef
Cabin 61
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Promoted healthy dining options to meet diner needs and business standards.
- Mentored apprentice chefs in various cooking methods, techniques, and best practices.
- Assisted head chef in creating menu items, recipes, and developing dishes.
- Helped bring forth and implement menu ideas for seasonal menus and special events.
- Ensured that food quality was consistent through regular tasting and adjusting of seasonings.
- Managed inventory by ordering supplies and rotating stock to minimize waste.
- Maintained clean and sanitary kitchen environment by following proper cleaning procedures.
- Verified line quality with regular inspections and tests and corrected deficiencies.
- Fostered positive work environment among team members through open communication and constructive feedback.
Sous Chef
Burgers and Bottles
06.2018 - 03.2020
- Prepared ingredients by chopping, mixing, and measuring according to recipe requirements.
- Served as acting head chef during their absence by overseeing all aspects of kitchen management effectively.
- Coordinated with other kitchen staff members to ensure timely delivery of all dishes during service hours.
- Managed inventory by ordering supplies and rotating stock to minimize waste.
- Implemented new cooking techniques or equipment to improve efficiency in kitchen.
- Estimated daily production, communicating daily needs to kitchen personnel.
- Achieved and exceeded performance goals, budget goals and team goals.
- Prepared and cooked foods of all types on regular basis or for special guests and functions.
Picker
Total Tool
05.2017 - 02.2018
- Recorded pulled items with high accuracy, including product serial numbers and quantities.
- Exceeded personal and team goals by walking quickly, minimizing mistakes, and correctly following location directions.
- Avoided errors by accurately reading work tickets and pulling merchandise.
- Swept, mopped, and collected trash to maintain warehouse cleanliness.
- Supported order fulfillment objectives by memorizing specific inventory locations of high-demand SKUs.
- Maintained accurate records of completed orders.
- Received, sorted and stored incoming inventory in correct bin locations.
- Fulfilled orders using pick lists, order management software and RF scanners.
Line Cook
Manitou Grill
02.2017 - 07.2017
- Produced excellent food quality and presentation within target timeframes.
- Worked quickly and flexibly to keep up with high volume of food orders per shift.
- Collaborated easily with mixture of personalities in high pressure environment.
- Followed proper sanitation practices to maximize safety and prevent cross-contamination.
- Complied with up-to-date portion standards, quality standards and kitchen methods.
- Produced consistent results by memorizing recipes, portion sizes, and plating techniques.
- Maintained open communication with other kitchen staff for efficient workflow.
Line Cook
Mcdonalds
04.2015 - 02.2017
- Worked quickly and flexibly to keep up with high volume of food orders per shift.
- Restocked and prepared stations to support kitchen operations.
- Produced excellent food quality and presentation within target timeframes.
- Carried out orders to meet demand in fast-paced environment.
- Minimized waste by adhering to kitchen procedure.
- Cleaned spills and disposed of leftover food for orderly food stations.
- Cleaned and sanitized kitchen area regularly.
Education
Diploma - Culinary Arts and Management
Auguste Escoffier
08.2025
High School -
White Bear Lake Area High School
04.2016
Skills
- Kitchen Operations
- Prep work
- Food presentation
- Inventory Management
- Truck loading
- Palletizing
- Scanner operation
- Order Picking
- Stand up Forklift equipment
- Station oversight
- Menu Memorization
- Customer Service
- Staff Training
Timeline
Cook
Corporate Chefs Elior
01.2025 - 06.2025
Line Cook
328 Grill
08.2023 - 10.2024
Picker
Pepsi
06.2023 - 08.2023
Delivery Driver
Minnesota Ice
07.2022 - 05.2023
Sous Chef
Cabin 61
03.2021 - 06.2022
Sous Chef
Burgers and Bottles
06.2018 - 03.2020
Picker
Total Tool
05.2017 - 02.2018
Line Cook
Manitou Grill
02.2017 - 07.2017
Line Cook
Mcdonalds
04.2015 - 02.2017
High School -
White Bear Lake Area High School
Diploma - Culinary Arts and Management
Auguste Escoffier
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