Devontae Seay
San Diego,CA
Summary
Capable professional years of experience as Culinary Specialist offering dining hall management and food service expertise. Talented in preparing and serving meals to meet budget restrictions and short deadlines. Gifted at planning and ordering stock for balanced and nutritious menus.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Culinary Specialist
United States Navy, USN
San Diego, California
06.2020 - 05.2025
- Trained and supervised line cooks to develop new skills and improve team performance.
- Determined schedules and staff requirements necessary to prepare and plate food.
- Remained attentive to detail and committed to accurate and thorough responses to expressed culinary and service needs.
- Performed quality control checks on all cooked foods before serving them to customers.
- Kept up with current trends in culinary arts by attending workshops or conferences.
- Oversaw inventory and ordered ingredients to restock freezers, fridges and pantry.
- Used proper cleaning supplies and methods to disinfect counters where raw meat, poultry, fish and eggs had been prepared.
- Plated dishes using tasty garnishes and sauces to appeal to and delight patrons.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of work area while adhering to safety guidelines.
- Monitored food production to ensure quality control standards were met.
- Worked cross-functionally with recipe development, operations and creative teams on implementation of new ingredients, menu timelines and product launches.
- Planned and prepared meals for large groups of people, using standardized recipes.
- Reviewed weekly orders from suppliers to ensure freshness of ingredients used in dishes.
- Helped management stay on top of supply needs by sharing information about low or spoiled inventory.
- Checked stock deliveries for safety, quality and quantity.
- Managed nutrition labeling process and execution and verified accuracy and alignment with ingredient database.
- Observed food safety and sanitation protocols to reduce germ spread.
- Supervised food preparation staff to deliver high-quality results.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner.
- Created tasty dishes using popular recipes, delighting patrons and generating return business.
- Checked quality of food products to meet high standards.
- Distributed food to service staff for prompt delivery to customers.
- Monitored temperatures of prepared food and cold-storage areas.
- Analyzed recipes for cost efficiency without sacrificing flavor or presentation.
- Prepared sauces, stocks, soups, salads, desserts and other specialty items as needed.
- Ordered necessary supplies from vendors within budget constraints.
- Chopped and diced vegetables and fruits to stock fridge ahead of busy periods.
- Assisted in training new employees on proper cooking methods and food safety practices.
- Organized catering events according to client specifications.
- Trained kitchen staff on proper knife handling, sanitation procedures, and safety regulations.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.
- Communicated with customers to understand culinary needs and preferences and adjusted menus and services in response.
- Prepared workstations with ingredients and tools to increase efficiency.
- Supervised the preparation of food items according to established recipes and standards.
- Monitored food production throughout service periods to ensure timely delivery of dishes.
- Built and managed relationships with local vendors to obtain fresh, quality ingredients at cost-effective prices.
- Cleaned, sanitized and maintained food storage, preparation and serving areas.
- Placed frequently used ingredients in proper storage containers and placed perishable items in refrigerator.
- Conducted inventory of food items and supplies in order to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Collaborated productively and professionally with colleagues representing widely diverse points of view.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to secure competitive prices for ingredients.
- Prepared variety of foods according to exact instructions and recipe specifications.
- Developed menus based on seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
- Executed advanced cooking techniques such as braising, roasting, poaching, and sautéing.
- Provided feedback to management regarding menu changes or improvements.
- Maintained budget by monitoring inventory and purchases to reduce spending.
- Utilized a variety of herbs, spices, seasonings and other flavorings to enhance taste.
- Resolved customer complaints regarding food quality or service promptly and professionally.
- Developed nutritious menus and ordered variety of healthy food to change up menu offerings.
- Analyzed recipes to determine menu prices based on cost of food, labor and overhead.
- Ensured compliance with health department regulations regarding storage, preparation, and service of food items.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Conducted system analysis and testing to identify and resolve technical issues or inefficiencies.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Managed household errands and other essential duties.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Conducted comprehensive research and data analysis to support strategic planning and informed decision-making.
- Utilized various software and tools to streamline processes and optimize performance.
- Conducted routine maintenance and repairs on mechanical systems and industrial equipment.
- Completed routine maintenance and repair.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
- Conducted testing of software and systems to ensure quality and reliability.
Cashier
Marks Melon Patch
Sasser, GA
06.2012 - 12.2016
- Maintained clean and orderly checkout areas by sanitizing register belts, emptying trash cans and organizing candy racks.
- Preserved appearance of store by arranging and replenishing displays and merchandise racks.
- Collected payments and provided accurate change.
- Processed returns and exchanges of merchandise in accordance with store policies.
- Answered phone calls to assist customers with questions and orders.
- Worked closely with front-end staff to assist customers.
- Counted and balanced cashier drawers.
- Greeted customers and answered any questions they had about the store's products and services.
- Trained and mentored new cashiers to maximize performance with skilled, efficient and knowledgeable team members.
- Scanned items and checked pricing on cash register for accuracy.
- Processed returned merchandise by strictly following store return and exchange procedures.
- Scanned merchandise using point-of-sale system for accurate purchase totals.
- Delivered high level of customer service to patrons using active listening and engagement skills.
- Operated cash register efficiently and accurately, processed payments by cash, check, credit card, gift card or automatic debit.
- Established or identified prices of goods and services and tabulated bills with optical price scanners and cash registers.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations within the store environment.
- Helped with purchases and signed customers up for rewards program.
- Verified customer age requirement for alcohol or tobacco purchases.
- Answered customer questions and provided store information.
- Used suggestive selling techniques to promote add-on sales.
- Assisted customers over the phone regarding store operations, product information and order placement.
- Adhered to social distancing protocols and wore mask or face shield.
- Checked personal identifications during alcohol and tobacco sales.
- Counted money in cash drawers at the beginning of shifts to ensure amounts were correct.
- Trained new team members in cash register operation, stock procedures, and customer services.
- Completed daily recovery tasks to keep areas clean and neat for maximum productivity.
- Maintained current knowledge of store promotions to highlight sales to customers.
- Organized promotional displays or arrange merchandise on counters or tables to promote sales.
- Verified that customers were of legal age to purchase alcohol or tobacco products.
- Processed customer payments quickly and returned exact change and receipts.
- Conducted price checks for special orders or discounts as requested by customers.
- Greeted customers promptly and responded to questions.
- Directed trash removal and sanitation procedures to keep aisles and register area organized.
- Welcomed customers, offering assistance to help find store items.
- Followed company security procedures for handling large sums of money.
- Kept check-out areas clean, organized and well-stocked to maintain attractive store.
- Learned roles of other departments to provide coverage and keep store operational.
- Built and maintained productive relationships with employees.
- Completed routine maintenance and repair.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Managed household errands and other essential duties.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Operated a variety of machinery and tools safely and efficiently.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Conducted system analysis and testing to identify and resolve technical issues or inefficiencies.
- Conducted routine maintenance and repairs on mechanical systems and industrial equipment.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Conducted testing of software and systems to ensure quality and reliability.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Stocked shelves with merchandise when needed.
- Discounted purchases by scanning and redeeming coupons.
- Helped customers find specific products, answered questions, and offered product advice.
- Kept records of purchases; maintained orderly appearance of checkout area; restocked supplies as needed.
- Maintained cleanliness of checkout area including countertops, registers, windowsills and floors.
- Processed efficient and accurate cash, check, debit and credit card payments using Point-of-Sale system.
- Answered customer inquiries regarding store policies and procedures.
- Boosted customer satisfaction levels by going extra mile to personalize service for each customer.
- Answered customers' questions and provided information on store procedures or policies.
- Processed sales transactions to prevent long customer wait times.
- Accepted cash and credit card payments, issued receipts and provided change.
- Issued receipts, refunds, credits or change due to customers.
- Performed opening and closing procedures including counting cash drawers and preparing deposits.
- Operated cash register or POS system to receive payment by cash, check and credit card.
- Offered customers carry-out service at completion of transaction.
- Balanced daily transactions on a computerized point-of-sale system.
- Performed other duties as assigned by management.
- Provided excellent customer service while promoting loyalty programs to increase sales potential.
- Processed credit card, cash, and check payments, ensuring all transactions were accurate.
- Maintained work area and kept cash drawer organized.
Skills
- Menu development
- Food safety compliance
- Culinary creativity
- Inventory management
- Nutritional analysis
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Task prioritization
- Collaboration skills
- Preparing food
- Pastry skills
- Inspecting deliveries
- Special diets
- Cooking equipment operations
- Kitchen organization
- Nutrition and meal planning
- Estimating and ordering inventory
- Dining facility management
- Allergen awareness
- Delivery inspections
- Food service
- Sanitizing and cleaning
- Knife skills
- Waste reduction
- Sauce preparation
- Food preparation
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- International cuisines
- Guest interaction
- Food plating
- Ingredient knowledge
- Employee scheduling
- Equipment inspections
- Sanitation procedures
- Budget development
- Recipe creation
- Planning nutritious meals
- Culinary techniques
- Garnishing techniques
- Food presentation
- Cost control
- Managing dining facilities
- Baking techniques
- Cooking methods
- Workstation maintenance
- Team building
- Customer retention
- Food preparing, plating, and presentation
- Estimating and ordering stock
- Analytical thinking
- Fine dining
- Food inventories
- Order management
- Portion control
- Self motivation
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Problem-solving
Timeline
Culinary Specialist
United States Navy, USN
06.2020 - 05.2025
Cashier
Marks Melon Patch
06.2012 - 12.2016