Derek Lastoria
Chef
Cincinnati,OH
Summary
Resourceful Line Cook known for maintaining high productivity levels and efficiently completing tasks. Specialize in time management, food safety protocols, and menu development. Excel in fast-paced environments through strong team collaboration, communication skills, and ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
Motivated professional with several years of experience preparing delicious meals for customers. Polished in following proper food handling methods and maintaining correct temperature of food products. Creative and artistic professional committed to strengthening kitchen team with better collaboration, recipes and cooking techniques.
Skilled restaurant cook with experience in fast-paced kitchen environments. Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new recipes and techniques while maintaining high standards of food quality and hygiene. Strong team player, adept at working efficiently under pressure to ensure timely order delivery. Contributed to menu development and kitchen workflow optimization, enhancing overall dining experience for customers.
Skilled Line Cook with background in fast-paced, high-volume restaurant environments. Experience includes preparing meals to order, plating and presenting dishes, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Strengths encompass knowledge of food safety regulations, culinary techniques, and inventory management. Previous work has demonstrated ability to keep up with rush hours while maintaining quality control and efficiency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Line Cook
McDonald's Restaurant
Cincinnati, Ohio
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Sanitized kitchen counters and preparation areas to prevent foodborne illness and cross-contamination.
- Handled advanced thawing and food pre-preparation for upcoming meals.
- Cleaned cooking and refrigeration equipment to sanitize and prevent food-borne illness.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct food temperature for high scores on health inspections.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct temperature of food products.
- Washed and peeled ingredients to prepare for different meals and recipes.
- Prepared food items consistently and in compliance with recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines.
Assistant Manager
Anderson township pub
Cincinnati, Ohio
05.2019 - 06.2024
- Proposed or approved modifications to project plans.
- Monitored employee attendance records, timekeeping, and payroll information.
- Communicated regularly with customers to gain insights into their needs.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of company products and services.
Line Cook
Carrabba's Restaurant
Cincinnati, Ohio
08.2000 - 04.2012
- Sanitized kitchen counters and preparation areas to prevent foodborne illness and cross-contamination.
- Handled advanced thawing and food pre-preparation for upcoming meals.
- Cleaned cooking and refrigeration equipment to sanitize and prevent food-borne illness.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct food temperature for high scores on health inspections.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Weighed, measured and mixed ingredients, following recipes to produce quality dishes.
- Developed strategies to enhance food-presentation aspects of catering and retail environments.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct temperature of food products.
- Carried pans and trays of food to and from work stations, stove and refrigerator.
- Adhered to sanitation policies at all times when handling food products.
- Adhered to regulatory standards regarding safe and sanitary food prep.
- Plated dishes according to restaurant presentation standards before delivering them to customers.
- Washed and peeled ingredients to prepare for different meals and recipes.
- Prepared food items consistently and in compliance with recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines.
- Replenished food items from inventory and rotated ingredients.
- Organized the storage area to ensure that all necessary items were readily accessible.
- Cultivated original menu items, precisely executing them to periodically refresh meal portfolio.
- Prepped garnishes to reduce wait times during lunch and dinner rush.
- Made meals in accordance with company standards and requirements.
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to maintain safety and food quality.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
- Stocked and restocked kitchen supplies as needed.
- Performed workstation prep prior to shift start.
- Cooked multiple orders simultaneously during busy periods.
- Responded quickly to any customer complaints or concerns about their dining experience.
- Mentored and trained staff by teaching cooking skills and kitchen maintenance, improving overall quality and performance.
- Performed basic knife skills such as dicing onions or slicing meats.
- Portioned food onto plates, added garnishes and sauces and handed off to wait staff for serving.
- Verified kitchen staff followed all recipes and portion serving guidelines correctly.
- Assisted in prep work such as washing vegetables or butchering meat when needed.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Helped other staff members complete job tasks during peak times to keep kitchen running efficiently.
- Chopped vegetables and seasoned meats and fish in preparation for grilling, sautéing and braising.
- Maintained hygienic kitchen with regular mopping, disinfecting workspace and washing utensils and glassware.
- Checked temperature of freezers and refrigerators to maintain proper storage of cold items.
- Monitored supply inventory and rotated stock to maintain optimal freshness and reduce waste.
- Conducted daily inspections and maintained food sanitation and kitchen equipment safety reports.
- Trained new team members on proper meat and vegetable preparation techniques.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.
- Operated various kitchen appliance such as a blender, oven, grill, or stand mixer.
- Followed health and safety standards to ensure safe working environment for employees and customers alike.
- Garnished and arranged dishes into creative presentations.
- Established and maintained open, collaborative relationships with kitchen team to maximize efficiency.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining organized in a fast-paced environment.
- Ensured that all dishes were prepared according to recipe specifications.
- Cleaned food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
- Inspected equipment for cleanliness prior to use every shift.
Line Cook
Olive Garden
Cincinnati, Ohio
02.1995 - 10.2000
- Sanitized kitchen counters and preparation areas to prevent foodborne illness and cross-contamination.
- Handled advanced thawing and food pre-preparation for upcoming meals.
- Cleaned cooking and refrigeration equipment to sanitize and prevent food-borne illness.
- Stocked and restocked kitchen supplies as needed.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
- Performed workstation prep prior to shift start.
- Cooked multiple orders simultaneously during busy periods.
- Responded quickly to any customer complaints or concerns about their dining experience.
- Mentored and trained staff by teaching cooking skills and kitchen maintenance, improving overall quality and performance.
- Performed basic knife skills such as dicing onions or slicing meats.
- Restocked food items throughout shift to prepare necessary ingredients for cooking and timely service.
- Checked temperature of freezers and refrigerators to maintain proper storage of cold items.
- Maintained hygienic kitchen with regular mopping, disinfecting workspace and washing utensils and glassware.
- Received and stored food and supplies.
- Operated various kitchen appliance such as a blender, oven, grill, or stand mixer.
- Followed health and safety standards to ensure safe working environment for employees and customers alike.
- Garnished and arranged dishes into creative presentations.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining organized in a fast-paced environment.
- Maintained clean and orderly appearance throughout kitchen and dining area.
- Set up workstations with needed ingredients, utensils and cooking equipment.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Education
GED -
Anderson High
Anderson Township Cincinnati Oh 06-1999
Skills
- Food preparation
- Food safety
- Sanitation practices
- Inventory management
- Quality control
- Customer service
- Employee training
- Recipe adherence
- Kitchen organization
- Communication skills
- Sauce making
- Sauce preparation
- Food presentation talent
- Shellfish and seafood preparation
- Food pairing
- Ingredient substitution
- Ingredients measuring
- Hot and cold food preparation
- Food preparing, plating, and presentation
- Food safety knowledge
- Stock making
- Kitchen sanitation
- Frying techniques
- Crew training
- Food rotation
- Head chef collaboration
- Dessert creation
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Special events and catering
- Active listener
- Communication
- Workstation cleanliness
- Oversee kitchen staff
- Rotate stock
- Deep fryer operation
Timeline
Line Cook
McDonald's Restaurant
01.2024 - 05.2025
Assistant Manager
Anderson township pub
05.2019 - 06.2024
Line Cook
Carrabba's Restaurant
08.2000 - 04.2012
Line Cook
Olive Garden
02.1995 - 10.2000
GED -
Anderson High
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