Deshawn WALLACE
Tempe,AZ
Summary
Directed kitchen operations as a head chef emphasizing premium ingredients and efficient service.,Cultivated a customer-first culture through strong leadership and stamina in team dynamics.,Oversaw employee scheduling, inventory control, and crew development to enhance productivity.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Kitchen Manager
Bjs Restaurants Inc
Chandler, AZ
01.2025 - Current
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Purchased food and cultivated strong vendor relationships.
- Designed and maintained menus to offer variety of high quality and consistency of dishes.
Executive Kitchen Manager/Head Chef
Andrettis indoor Karting
Chandler, Arizona
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Performed weekly inventories of food items stored in refrigerators or freezers.
- Analyzed financial data including sales reports, budgeting information and cost analysis reports to make operational decisions.
- Provided feedback during tasting sessions to help refine existing dishes or develop new ones.
- Spearhead a menu redesign which increased customer satisfaction
- Directed a kitchen team of 25 employees
- Overseeing major banquets and buyouts
- Promoted an atmosphere of teamwork among kitchen staff members by fostering open communication between team members.
Kitchen Manager/Head Chef Coordinator
Spinatos pizza
Chandler, Arizona
02.2020 - 06.2022
- Oversaw daily operations of the kitchen including meal preparation, cooking methods, portion sizes and plate presentation.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner while maintaining a positive attitude towards guests at all times.
- Developed and implemented kitchen policies, procedures and quality standards.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws governing food service operations.
- Analyzed financial data including sales reports, budgeting information and cost analysis reports to make operational decisions.
- Trained new kitchen staff on proper food handling techniques and safety regulations.
- Ordered ingredients and supplies to maintain adequate inventory levels for the kitchen.
- Created weekly schedules for kitchen staff members based on anticipated business volume.
Executive Chef
Ginger Monkey
Chandler, Arizona
08.2017 - 02.2020
- Creation of New Menu to revamp business and give the restaurant better food selections
- Implemented a waste log
- Created rules and procedures for the training ad development of the kitchen staff
- Managed labor and Weekly schedules
- Inventory weekly
- Orders weekly through Sysco
- Responsible for all the procedural aspects of receipe standardization plate presentation, inventory and cost control
- Ensuring highest quality of food service for restaurant
- Created daily specials based on seasonal ingredients and customer feedback.
Sous Chef
Flower Child
Phoenix, Arizona
03.2014 - 08.2017
- Monitored quality, presentation and quantities of plates food across the line
- Monitored kitchen staff and area to maintain a safe work area and proper food handling techniques
- Implemented and maintained excellence service to achieve guest satisfaction
- Trained kitchen workers on culinary Techniques
- Assessed inventory levels am placed orders to replenish good before supplies depleted through Sysco
Sous Chef
18 Degrees
Chandler
02.2014 - 08.2016
- Act as Head chef when required to maintain continuity of service and quality
- Collaborate with restaurant manager to create delicious meals for large Banquet also Hockey tournaments For scouts up too (200) guest
- Remaking menu up to 15 menu items
- Weekly inventory
- Weekly Orders through Sysco and peddlers
- Also doing weekly schedules for all employees
- Trained new hires in proper cooking techniques and recipes.
Junior Sous Chef
Hilton Garden inn
02.2010 - 02.2013
- Initiated training for Line cooks on frying, grilling, satue culinary Techniques to improve productivity and increase kitchen work flow
- Evaluated inventory and placed orders through Sysco and peddlers
- Calloborate with head chef for Venus, Conference and Banquets
- Calloborated in remaking the banquet menu, restaurant menu, Floor 13 Rooftop menu
Education
Associate Degree - Pharmacy tech
American career college
Skills
- Food preparation techniques
- Banquets and catering
- Customer service oriented
- Food and Beverage Pairing
- Purchasing
- Dish preparation
- Regulatory compliance
- Kitchen equipment and tools
- Grilling
- Frying
- Sauté skills
- Menu development
- Vendor relationship
- Portion and cost control
- Recipe creation
- Staff recruitment and hiring
- Quality control and oversight
- Supply ordering
- Team leadership
- BOH Operations
- Inventory management
- Cost analysis
- Time management
- Employee scheduling
- Kitchen management
- Cost control
- Budgeting and cost control
- Waste reduction
- Recruitment
- Employee monitoring
- Kitchen staff coordination
- Scheduling
- Team building
- Food and beverage management
- Food safety
- Hiring, training, and development
References
Shannon Jackson, Flower Child Restaurant Manager, 480-439-9250, 04/2023, 03/2024
Timeline
Senior Kitchen Manager
Bjs Restaurants Inc
01.2025 - Current
Executive Kitchen Manager/Head Chef
Andrettis indoor Karting
01.2023 - 01.2025
Kitchen Manager/Head Chef Coordinator
Spinatos pizza
02.2020 - 06.2022
Executive Chef
Ginger Monkey
08.2017 - 02.2020
Sous Chef
Flower Child
03.2014 - 08.2017
Sous Chef
18 Degrees
02.2014 - 08.2016
Junior Sous Chef
Hilton Garden inn
02.2010 - 02.2013
Associate Degree - Pharmacy tech
American career college